Patient-dentist communication and its impact on dental services utilisation as perceived by patients in Libya.

Objectives: To identify the factors influencing communication between patients and dentists in Libya and their effects on patient satisfaction and trust. We explored the impact of these interactions on the subsequent utilisation of dental health services from the patient's perspective.

Design: Qualitative descriptive study in a purposive sample of patients from oral health centres in Janzour city in Libya who were over eighteen years old.

Pit and fissure sealants versus fluoride varnishes for preventing dental decay in the permanent teeth of children and adolescents.

Background: Most of the detected increment in dental caries among children above the age of six years and adolescents is confined to occlusal surfaces of posterior permanent molars. Dental sealants and fluoride varnishes are much used to prevent caries. As the effectiveness of both interventions in controlling caries as compared with no intervention has been demonstrated previously, this review aimed to evaluate their relative effectiveness.

Surgical techniques for the removal of mandibular wisdom teeth.

Background: Pathology relating to mandibular wisdom teeth is a frequent presentation to oral and maxillofacial surgeons, and surgical removal of mandibular wisdom teeth is a common operation. The indications for surgical removal of these teeth are alleviation of local pain, swelling and trismus, and also the prevention of spread of infection that may occasionally threaten life. Surgery is commonly associated with short-term postoperative pain, swelling and trismus.

Students' perspectives of early and gradual transitioning between simulation and clinical training in dentistry and their suggestions for future course improvements.

Introduction: Students' perspectives on their learning environment are essential for course development and to enhance the educational experience. In dentistry, there is limited understanding of how students perceive their early clinical training. This study presents students' views on their gradual progression from simulation to patient care and describes the approaches they followed to adapt during this transitioning phase.

Provision of information to patients on dental implant treatment: Clinicians' perspectives on the current approaches and future strategies.

Objectives: To explore 1) the approaches that are adopted by clinicians to give patients information in relation to dental implant treatment during clinical consultations; 2) clinicians' reflections on their current practices of implant information provision; and 3) clinicians' suggestions to improve future implant information provision.

Methods: A qualitative study employing face-to-face semi-structured interviews with eight clinicians working in UK secondary dental care. The data gathering and analysis followed the principles of qualitative thematic analysis.