Objective assessment of intra-oral suturing for certification of competency.

Introduction: Suturing is an essential skill for dental surgeons, yet there is limited evidence for objective measures of competence in this field, which can be applied to licensing or certification processes for dental surgeons to ensure patient safety.

Methods: In an objective structured clinical examination (OSCE), participants placed two simple interrupted sutures across a lower molar socket in different suturing environments: [A] commercial simulator, [B] suturing sponge mounted in a 3D printed model, [C] suturing sponge and [D] pig's jaw. Simulators [A] and [B] were mounted into phantom heads in dental chairs, and [C] and [D] were placed on bench tops.

Periodontal Disease, Dental Implants, Extractions and Medications Related to Osteonecrosis of the Jaws.

Patients taking bisphosphonates and other anti-resorptive drugs are likely to attend general dental practice. The term 'bisphosphonate'is often immediately associated with osteonecrosis of the jaws (ONJ). Risk assessment and subsequent management of these patients should be carried out taking into account all the risk factors associated with ONJ.

Treatment of a Crohn's disease-related cutaneous facial lesion with topical tacrolimus.

We report a case of an orofacial lesion in Crohn's disease successfully treated with tacrolimus ointment. A 22-year-old woman with Crohn's disease presented with a discharging lesion on the right side of her face. Intraorally, there was a resultant loss of the sulcal depth.