The Role of Soft Skills in Dental Education: Challenges and Importance.

Soft skills encompass interpersonal abilities and values that enable individuals to adapt to diverse circumstances. In dentistry, a combination of soft and hard skills is crucial for successful practice and for achieving health care organization goals. However, dental schools face significant challenges in teaching and evaluating soft skills, including the subjective nature of assessment, variability in student engagement, and the lack of standardized curricula.

Magnetic Resonance Images for the Prediction of Chronological Age Using Maxillary Third Molar Teeth: An Observational Study.

Introduction: Dental age estimation using third molars is a reliable method for estimating the age of individuals. Recently, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the head and neck has been found to be applicable for age estimation of third molar teeth. In the present study, we aimed to apply the Modified Demirjian method of age estimation to magnetic resonance (MR) image sections for dental age estimation by determining the mineralization patterns of the maxillary third molars.

Quantitative and Qualitative Correlation of Mandibular Lingual Bone with Risk Factors for Third Molar Using Cone Beam Computed Tomography.

Background: Lingual plate thickness, density, and proximity to the tooth are linked as risk factors for various complications associated with third molar extraction. The present study aimed to assess the lingual plate thickness, and density in the mandibular third molar region using cone beam computed tomography and to estimate its correlation with type and level of impaction, number of roots, age, and gender as the risk factors.

Methods: This was a retrospective study on CBCT images of 648 mandibular third molars.

Role of CBCT in Prediction of Oro-antral Communication Post Third Molar Extraction: A Retrospective Study.

Objective:  Oro-antral communication (OAC) is one of the most frequently encountered complications during third molar extraction. Various radiographic factors, like excessive maxillary sinus pneumatization, long periods of edentulism, periapical lesions, etc., have been considered high-risk factors for OAC.

Efficacy of Preemptive Dexamethasone versus Methylprednisolone in the Management of Postoperative Discomfort and Pain after Mandibular Third Molar Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

The corticosteroids have been used for preemptive management of surgical sequelae after mandibular third molar extraction. The aim of this article was to review the efficacy of methylprednisolone versus dexamethasone in the management of postsurgical pain, swelling, and trismus after mandibular third molar surgery. Randomized, double-blinded studies from PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus, DOSS, Cochrane central, and Web of Science were identified by using a search strategy.

Age Assessment through Root Lengths of Mandibular Second and Third Permanent Molars Using Machine Learning and Artificial Neural Networks.

The present study explores the efficacy of Machine Learning and Artificial Neural Networks in age assessment using the root length of the second and third molar teeth. A dataset of 1000 panoramic radiographs with intact second and third molars ranging from 12 to 25 years was archived. The length of the mesial and distal roots was measured using ImageJ software.

Factors Affecting the Usage of Wearable Device Technology for Healthcare among Indian Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Wearable device technology has recently been involved in the healthcare industry substantially. India is the world's third largest market for wearable devices and is projected to expand at a compound annual growth rate of ~26.33%.

Transforming healthcare through a digital revolution: A review of digital healthcare technologies and solutions.

The COVID-19 pandemic has put a strain on the entire global healthcare infrastructure. The pandemic has necessitated the re-invention, re-organization, and transformation of the healthcare system. The resurgence of new COVID-19 virus variants in several countries and the infection of a larger group of communities necessitate a rapid strategic shift.

Legal and Ethical Consideration in Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare: Who Takes Responsibility?

The legal and ethical issues that confront society due to Artificial Intelligence (AI) include privacy and surveillance, bias or discrimination, and potentially the philosophical challenge is the role of human judgment. Concerns about newer digital technologies becoming a new source of inaccuracy and data breaches have arisen as a result of its use. Mistakes in the procedure or protocol in the field of healthcare can have devastating consequences for the patient who is the victim of the error.

Diagnostic Accuracy of Ultrasonography for the Assessment of Maxillofacial Fractures: A Meta-analysis.

Objective: To evaluate the pooled sensitivity and specificity of ultrasonography (USG) in maxillofacial fractures.

Materials And Methods: A systematic search was performed in five databases (PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL, Web of Science, Dentistry and Oral Sciences Source) from inception to September 12, 2020. Studies that reported or from which sensitivity and specificity can be calculated and studies published in the English language were included.

The role of data science in healthcare advancements: applications, benefits, and future prospects.

Data science is an interdisciplinary field that extracts knowledge and insights from many structural and unstructured data, using scientific methods, data mining techniques, machine-learning algorithms, and big data. The healthcare industry generates large datasets of useful information on patient demography, treatment plans, results of medical examinations, insurance, etc. The data collected from the Internet of Things (IoT) devices attract the attention of data scientists.

Temporalis space infection secondary to an undiagnosed intra-oral foreign object - a case report.

The penetration of foreign objects is one of the leading causes of maxillofacial infection following trauma. Failure to detect such objects at initial stages can lead to complications like abscess formation, cellulitis, or space infections. Detection is even more complicated if the patient presents to the maxillofacial center after a delay of days or weeks following trauma.

Sex Assessment by Morphological Analysis of Palatal Rugae Patterns in a South Indian Adult Population.

Background: Palatal rugae are asymmetric and irregular ridges on the anterior palatal region, which have proven to be useful in the field of forensic dentistry. This study aims to use morphological analysis of palatal rugae patterns to assess sex in a South Indian adult population.

Materials And Methods: This cross-sectional study was undertaken to evaluate a total of 300 maxillary dental casts (150 males and 150 females).

MRSA infection of masticatory spaces in a paediatric patient.

Diagnosis of source of maxillofacial infection in paediatric patients can be challenging due to difficulty in eliciting a proper history and multiple potential sources of infection. Identification and removal of the nidus of infection with decompression and institution of antibiotic therapy as per the culture-sensitivity report form the mainstay treatment of the infection. Deviation from it may result in persistence or even progression of infection, resulting in significant morbidity and mortality.

Efficacy of Lignocaine with Buprenorphine versus Lignocaine in the Management of Postoperative Pain after Minor Oral Surgical Procedures: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

We aimed to review the efficacy of lignocaine with buprenorphine versus lignocaine alone in the management of postoperative pain after minor oral surgical procedures. Randomized controlled trials evaluating the efficacy of use of lignocaine with buprenorphine versus lignocaine for intra-oral procedures were included by searching multiple databases. Outcomes assessed were onset of the time of anesthesia in seconds, duration of postoperative analgesia, postoperative pain (maximal follow-up), the number of rescue analgesics required, and adverse events.

Comparison of Extraction Socket Healing in Non-Diabetic, Prediabetic, and Type 2 Diabetic Patients.

Objective: To compare the healing of extraction socket among non-diabetic, prediabetic, and diabetic patients.

Materials And Methods: A single-center prospective observational study was conducted. Glycated hemoglobin and random blood glucose were recorded for all the participants before the procedure.

Biomechanical Behavior of Bioactive Material in Dental Implant: A Three-Dimensional Finite Element Analysis.

Dental implants are widely accepted for the rehabilitation of missing teeth due to their aesthetic compliance, functional ability, and great survival rate. The various components in implant design like thread design, thread angle, pitch, and material used for manufacturing play a critical role in its success. Understanding these influencing factors and implementing them properly in implant design can reduce cases of potential implant failure.

Oral manifestations in chronic kidney disease patients undergoing hemodialysis: a hospital-based study.

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD-HD) patients undergoing routine hemodialysis have been reported to have oral signs and symptoms due to disease process or various comorbidities like diabetes mellitus (DM). Both CKD and DM can cause oral changes. Hence this study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of oral symptoms and signs in CKD-HD patients and to rule out DM as possible confounding factor for the oral findings.

Intra-Lesional Medicaments for the Management of Intra-Osseous Lesions of Maxilla and Mandible - Systematic Review.

Aims And Objectives: This study aimed to review the success or remission of intralesional medicaments in the management of intraosseous lesions in the oral cavity.

Materials And Methods: A comprehensive search was performed in two databases (PubMed and Scopus). Research articles, case reports, case series, and clinical trials were included.

Salivary MMP-9 as a Biomarker for the Diagnosis of Oral Potentially Malignant Disorders and Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Objective: To compare the salivary MMP - 9 concentration among subjects with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMD), tobacco users, and control groups.

Materials And Methods: A total of 88 subjects were enrolled and divided into four study groups viz., OSCC (n=24), OPMD (n=20), tobacco habits (n=22), and healthy controls (n=22).

A linguoverted impacted tooth with orocutaneous fistula - a rare case report.

The orocutaneous fistulous tract of odontogenic origin is often a diagnostic challenge, due to its rare manifestation and absence of dental signs and symptoms. The odontogenic cutaneous fistula is often misdiagnosed as a superficial skin lesion of non-odontogenic origin delaying the treatment. The diagnosis and treatment must be precise and swift to improve the clinical outcome and minimize the complications.