The Impact of a Web-Based Restorative Dentistry Course on the Learning Outcomes of Dental Graduates: Pre-Experimental Study

BACKGROUND

Restorative dentistry plays a crucial role in dental practice, necessitating professionals to stay abreast with the latest advancements in the field. The advancement of technology has made web-based learning a widely used method of education delivery in dentistry, providing learners with extensive information and flexibility.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to evaluate how effective an online educational course in restorative dentistry is for dental graduates in Syria.

METHODS

This study used a pre-experimental study design, with pretest and posttest assessments to measure changes in participants' knowledge and skills. A total of 21 dental graduates completed the online course in restorative dentistry, which was hosted on Moodle, using the learning management system of the Syrian Virtual University. Participants were provided with a suggested learning sequence and had the flexibility to navigate the course on their own and at their own pace. The course was developed based on the principles of web course design and web-based course development using the ADDIE (Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, and Evaluation) general instructional design model. The pretest and posttest assessments consisted of 50 multiple-choice questions with a single correct answer, aligning with the course content. Furthermore, participants were asked to complete a course acceptance survey upon finishing the course.

RESULTS

The results showed a significant improvement in the participants' knowledge of restorative dentistry, supported by a statistically significant P value of less than .05. The effect size of the difference between the pre and posttest indicated that the effect size, as indicated by ω2, demonstrated a significant 62.1% difference between the pre and posttest, indicating a high and statistically significant effect. Furthermore, the value derived from the Haridy obtained work ratio formula indicated that the educational program was effective, with an effectiveness amount of 3.36%. Additionally, 93% (n=19) of respondents expressed confidence in having gained the expected benefits from the educational course upon its completion.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings indicated a notable enhancement in the participants' understanding of restorative dentistry. The participants' high satisfaction rate and positive feedback from the course acceptance survey further emphasize the favorable reception of the web-based learning approach. This study highlights the potential of web-based learning in dental education, opening the door for future research in this area. The findings of this study carry important implications for the design and implementation of web-based educational programs in dentistry, suggesting that such programs can serve as an effective tool for continuous professional development in the field.

Bridging the first-aid knowledge gap: a cross-sectional study of medical scope students in Syria

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE

Sufficient knowledge required to deal with emergencies at the accident site may not be found in most medical students due to the lack of effective first-aid training in most medical education curricula. This study aims to assess and evaluate medical students' knowledge level in providing first-aid care, especially first-year students.

METHODS

An electronic questionnaire was distributed via social media to 1,855 medical students in October 2020. The knowledge level was assessed based on scores obtained for each clinical scenario requiring first aid and classified as good, intermediate, or weak. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software.

RESULTS

The study found that academic year and specialization significantly influence medical students' first-aid knowledge level. However, demographic factors such as gender, university, marital status, housing status, work status, financial condition, and previous first-aid training did not show any significant effect.

CONCLUSION

The level of knowledge among Syrian medical students in providing first-aid care is somewhat limited. Therefore, first-aid courses should be made more accessible to these students, and their effectiveness should be ensured and maintained through frequent updates. Moreover, more attention should be placed on publicizing first-aid knowledge to make life-saving procedures attainable to anyone, anytime and anywhere.

Sleep quality and mental health differences following Syria-Turkey earthquakes: A cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

This study explores the lasting mental health impact of the Syria-Turkey earthquakes in 2023 on a population affected by conflict and trauma. It analyzes pre- and post-event mental health and sleep quality differences, identifying predictors of outcomes.

AIMS

Studying the 2023 Syria-Turkey earthquakes' enduring mental health impact on conflict-affected individuals, this research informs better support and interventions for disaster survivors.

METHODS

This longitudinal, cross-sectional study examined the enduring mental health impact of the Syria-Turkey earthquakes. The present study involved N = 1,413 Syrian survivors, aged 18 years or older, who actively participated by contributing both pre- and post-earthquake data. A meticulously designed digital questionnaire with established metrics assessed sleep disturbances, depressive symptoms, and anxiety levels. Stratification variables (age, gender, education, marital status) were used for subgroup analysis. Arabic versions of PHQ-9, PSQI, and GAD-2 proved reliable for measuring depression, sleep quality, and anxiety.

RESULTS

The majority of participants were female (73.6%) with tertiary education (83.3%). Post-earthquake, a higher percentage reported poor sleep quality (67.7% vs. 59.7%, p < .001) and increased prevalence of MDE (66.1% vs. 56%, p < .001). GAD did not differ significantly. Post-earthquake, women had a higher likelihood of poor sleep quality (OR: 1.58, 95% CI [1.19, 2.10], p < .001) and MDE (OR: 1.55, 95% CI [1.18 to 2.04], p = .003). Predictors varied before and after earthquakes; age and education were significant predictors of poor sleep quality, MDE, and GAD.

CONCLUSION

This study reveals higher rates of poor sleep quality and major depressive episodes among earthquake-affected individuals, especially women. Age, education, and gender contribute to these outcomes. Targeted interventions and comprehensive mental health support are crucial for post-earthquake recovery.

The effect of hyaluronic acid addition to collagen in reducing the trismus and swelling after surgical extraction of impacted lower third molars: a split-mouth, randomized controlled study

BACKGROUND

Removal of impacted third molars is associated with postoperative complications such as pain, swelling, ecchymosis, trismus, infection, and hematoma. Thus, contemporary surgery aims to reduce complications by applying collagen or hyaluronic acid in the socket after extracting the impacted mandibular third molars. This study aimed to study the efficacy of hyaluronic acid (HA) addition to collagen, compared to collagen application alone, on the magnitude of swelling and trismus following impacted mandibular third molar surgery.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

A total of 40 impacted molars of 20 participants who had completely bilateral impacted lower third molars were enrolled in this split-mouth, randomized, clinical trial. Randomization was carried out by two opaque envelops; two materials were applied topically in the socket collagen alone or with hyaluronic. The postoperative mouth-opening limitation and swelling rate were assessed on the third and seventh days after the extraction.

RESULTS

The mean age was 22.7 ± 3.079 years (75% female and 25% male). Regarding the rate of trismus, the test sides had less values than the control sides on 3rd days (44.03 ± 12.8 vs. 52.14 ± 13.7) and 7th days (19.22 ± 12.8 vs. 32.45 ± 15.3) postoperatively but the difference is only significant on the seventh day (P = 0.005). The swelling scores of the hyaluronic acid addition group were significantly lesser than those of the collagen alone group on the third and the seventh day (P < 0.05) except for the lateral canthus to the angulus mandibulae on the third day (P = 0.133).

CONCLUSION

Adding hyaluronic acid to collagen could effectively reduce the severity of facial swelling and trismus following surgical extraction of impacted lower third molars.

STATEMENT OF CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Swelling and trismus are the most sequela following impacted third molar surgical extraction. This study showed that applying hyaluronic acid with collagen can reduce the severity of facial swelling and trismus which could be useful in surgeons' daily practice. We should mention that this original article has a preprint edition (44).

Measurement of Humanity Among Health Professionals: Development and Validation of the Medical Humanity Scale Using the Delphi Method

BACKGROUND

Despite the importance of humanism in providing health care, there is a lack of valid and reliable tool for assessing humanity among health professionals.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to design a new humanism scale and to assess the validity of this scale in measuring humanism among Syrian health professional students.

METHODS

The Medical Humanity Scale (MHS) was designed. It consists of 27 items categorized into 7 human values including patient-oriented care, respect, empathy, ethics, altruism, and compassion. The scale was tested for internal consistency and reliability using Cronbach α and test-retest methods. The construct validity of the scale was also tested to assess the ability of the scale in differentiating between groups of health professional students with different levels of medical humanity. A 7-point Likert scale was adopted. The study included 300 participants including 97 medical, 78 dental, 82 pharmacy, and 43 preparatory-year students from Syrian universities. The Delphi method was used and factors analysis was performed. Bartlett test of sphericity and the Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin measure of sample adequacy were used. The number of components was extracted using principal component analysis.

RESULTS

The mean score of the MHS was 158.7 (SD 11.4). The MHS mean score of female participants was significantly higher than the mean score of male participants (159.59, SD 10.21 vs 155.48, SD 14.35; P=.008). The MHS mean score was significantly lower in dental students (154.12, SD 1.45; P=.005) than the mean scores of medical students (159.77, SD 1.02), pharmacy students (161.40, SD 1.05), and preparatory-year students (159.05, SD 1.94). However, no significant relationship was found between humanism and academic year (P=.32), university type (P=.34), marital status (P=.64), or financial situation (P=.16). The Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin test (0.730) and Bartlett test of sphericity (1201.611, df=351; P=.01) were performed. Factor analysis indicated that the proportion of variables between the first and second factors was greater than 10%, confirming that the scale was a single group. The Cronbach α for the overall scale was 0.735, indicating that the scale had acceptable reliability and validity.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this study suggest that the MHS is a reliable and valid tool for measuring humanity among health professional students and the development of patient-centered care.

Evaluation of the efficacy of platelet rich fibrin (I-PRF) intra-articular injections in the management of internal derangements of temporomandibular joints - a controlled preliminary prospective clinical study

Background

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is one of the most complex joints in the body. Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) are among the most troublesome disorders for patients, as they can cause pain, affect oral functions and disturb dentists on the level of diagnosis and treatment. The most common symptoms of temporomandibular joint disorders are articulated sounds (such as clicking or TMJ crepitation), joint pain in comfort and function situations (jaw movements), pain or strain in masseter and jaw muscles and or restricted mandibular movements. One of the most modern biocompatible substances used to treat joint disorders, including the TMJ, is platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and injectable platelet-rich fibrin (I-PRF). This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of platelet-rich fibrin (I-PRF) intra-articular injections in managing internal derangements of temporomandibular.

Methods

Twenty patients suffering from a unilateral click due to temporomandibular disorders were individually injected with 1 mL of (I-PRF) twice 1 week apart into the superior joint space of the TMJ with the internal disorder. Data were recorded and evaluated by the Helkimo index. This evaluation was conducted three times; 1 week after the first injection, 1 week after the second injection, and 6 months after the first injection.

Results

The clicking disappeared entirely in 14 out of 20 patients after 1 week of getting the first injection, and in all patients after 1 week of getting the second injection, and returned to two of them after a six-month since the first injection.

Conclusion

Preliminary results showed the efficacy of the Injectable Platelet-Rich Fibrin (I-PRF) in managing articular clicking in patients with internal disorders of the temporomandibular joint. Injectable Platelet Rich Fibrin has significant clinical efficacy in treating the articular clicking resulting from internal temporomandibular joint disorders.