Cross-cultural adaptation and validation of Malay version of Rapid Estimate of Adult Literacy in Dentistry (MREALD-30) among Orang Asli population in Malaysia.

Background: The aim of this study was to adapt, translate and validate the Rapid Estimate of Adult Literacy in Dentistry (MREALD-30) instrument for the Orang Asli population in Malaysia.

Methods: After translation and cross-cultural adaptation, interviews were conducted with 326 participants of the Temuan tribe from village Kampung Tering in Johol, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia. The instrument's validity was assessed using the scores of MREALD-30, which were compared based on occupation, monthly household income, educational attainment, general literacy, use of dental services, and three dental outcomes.

Case sharing - an approach for improving clinical experience to cases of advanced complexity among undergraduate dental students.

Introduction/problem: Clinical experience in cases of advanced complexity/rare cases is limited among undergraduate dental students. This commentary narrates a module termed "case sharing", wherein a small group of undergraduate dental students treat/assist, document and present advanced or rare cases to their entire cohort in eight weeks.

Approach: Undergraduate students perform procedures of straightforward and moderate complexity, and later assisted the clinical specialists during procedures of advanced complexity.

Balancing assessment of depth and breadth in the dental curriculum: A bi-dimensional assessment strategy.

Introduction: Integrated curricula are being increasingly adopted in health professions, owing to their advantages including patient-centred training and development of critical thinking. Similarly, the majority of dental Universities have either moved away from discipline-specific towards integrated curricula or have incorporated elements of integration. Despite several advantages offered by the integrated curriculum, one disadvantage is failure to assess depth of knowledge.

Costing dental restorations in public sector dental clinics.

The objective of this study is to share cost analysis methodology and to obtain cost estimates for posterior restorations in public sector dental clinics. Two urban and 2 rural dental clinics in Selangor state were selected. Only cases of 1 posterior restoration per visit by dental officers were included over 6 months.

Validation of the Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI) in the Malay language.

Objective: To translate and validate the Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI into the Malay language for use in Malaysia.

Methodology: The 6-Likert scale GOHAI was translated into the Malay language and self-administered on 189 subjects aged 60+. All subjects underwent oral status assessment.