Cleft lip and palate and periconception COVID-19 infection in five arab countries.

Background: Little is known about factors associated with the severity of cleft lip with or without cleft palate (CL/P) especially during the COVID-19 pandemic with its dramatic changes.

Objectives: The aim of this multi-national study is to measure the association between CL/P severity, COVID-19 infection, and fear of COVID-19 in five Arab countries.

Methods: This cross-sectional study took place in major governmental hospitals in five Arab countries from November 2020 to April 2023.

Distribution of Private Dental Healthcare Facilities in Riyadh City: A GIS-Based Approach.

Background: The dental healthcare private sector in Riyadh city has been growing rapidly over the past few years; however, there is a lack of information on the accessibility and spatial distribution of private dental healthcare facilities (PDHFs) in the area. This study aimed to evaluate the spatial distribution of PDHFs in Riyadh city in relation to population density in each sub-municipality.

Methods: The current information regarding the number, location, and operability of PDHFs in Riyadh city was obtained from the Ministry of Health.

COVID-19 vaccine and non-syndromic orofacial clefts in five arab countries. A case-control study.

Objectives: Risk factors for non-syndromic orofacial cleft (NSOFCs) include genetic profile and environmental exposure to medication and illnesses during pregnancy. We assessed the association between the COVID-19 vaccination and the incidence of NSOFC across five Middle Eastern countries.

Materials And Methods: This multi-country, hospital-based, case-control study included infants with NSOFCs whose first 3 intrauterine months coincided with the time when pregnant women were allowed to receive COVID-19 vaccination in the countries participating in the study.

Evaluation of maxillary transverse dimensions in individuals with a unilaterally impacted canine.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to investigate the maxillary width within individuals with a unilaterally impacted maxillary canine and to determine any association between the impacted canine location and some canine-related variables.

Methods: A cross-sectional analytical study using a split-mouth design included 22 CBCTs of individuals with unilaterally impacted maxillary canines (a total of 44 sides). The maxillary width was measured and compared in both impacted and non-impacted sides at various levels: basal, alveolar, and dental.

Maternal Exposure to Stress During Covid-19 and Non-Syndromic Orofacial Clefts: A Cohort Retrospective Study.

Objective: The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic presents an opportunity to study stress's effect on the development of non-syndromic orofacial clefts (NSOFCs). This study was aimed at assessing maternal stress exposure during the pregestational to first trimester pregnancy periods and the development of NSOFCs during a year of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Design: Cohort study of infants with NSOFCs and controls matched based on recruitment site and age.

Incidence of non-syndromic orofacial cleft during the COVID-19 pandemic in Saudi Arabia.

Objectives: This is the first national study to investigate the incidence of non-syndromic oro-facial clefts (NSOFC) and Pierre-Robin-Sequence in Saudi Arabia over the Covid-19 pandemic period.

Methods: All maternity hospitals (30-hospitals) in the major regions and cities of Saudi from November 2020-to-2021 were included in the study. Patients were evaluated for cleft phenotype using the LASHAL-classification system.

Physicians' Examination and Referral Practices on Orthodontic Problems Among 6-12-Year-Old Children in Saudi Arabia.

Background: Physicians are more likely to examine children than dentists; thus, they may have a significant role in detecting oral and dentofacial problems. This study aimed to determine the rate and comprehensiveness of examinations, the rate and quality of referral practices, and the predictors of referral practice of physicians regarding orthodontic problems among children.

Methods: In a multi-center cross-sectional study, a total of 518 physicians in Saudi Arabia were subjected to an e-questionnaire of four sections: (1) Physicians' demographic and work-related characteristics; (2) Physicians' comprehensiveness of oral and orthodontic examinations; (3) Physicians' referral practices to orthodontists and reasons considered for referral; and (4) Physicians' sources of orthodontic education.

COVID-19 related risk factors and their association with non-syndromic orofacial clefts in five Arab countries: a case-control study.

Background: The environmental etiology of non-syndromic orofacial clefts (NSOFCs) is still under research. The aim of this case-control study is to assess COVID-19 associated factors that may be related to the risk of NSOFC in five Arab countries. These factors include COVID-19 infection, COVID-19 symptoms, family member or friends infected with COVID-19, stress, smoking, socioeconomic status and fear of COVID-19.

Awareness and Attitude of Physicians on the Role of Dentists in the Management of Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

Background: Efforts to evaluate physicians’ awareness and attitude toward dentists’ comprehensive role in OSA management are relatively negligible. Therefore, this study aimed to assess physicians’ awareness and attitude toward the role of dentists in OSA management in Saudi Arabia. Methods: In a multi-center cross-sectional study, a total of 358 physicians in Saudi Arabia were subjected to an e-questionnaire composed of three sections: (1) physicians’ demographic data, (2) physicians’ general and specific knowledge of OSA and its management [using 29 factual statements to be responded by “True, False, or I don’t know” responses], and (3) physicians’ attitude towards dentists’ role in OSA management [using 12 attitude statements to be responded by a Likert scale of “Never, Rarely, Sometimes, Usually, Always” responses].