The aim of this study was to describe the intensive care unit (ICU) nurses' knowledge, attitude, and practice of mouth care for their patients. This is a cross sectional hospital based study. A total of 154 ICU nurses were randomly selected from seven governmental hospitals in Khartoum state and were invited to take part in this study. 97.4% of ICU nurses had high knowledge of the importance of mouth care for ICU patients and similarly for the priority of mouth care. However, only 20% of nurses were found to apply good practice. 64.5% of the nurses received training in mouth care provision, and (81%) indicated that further training would be beneficial. The oral care practice of ICU nurses ranged between average among 57% and poor among 23%. The study highlighted the need for setting of ICU protocols and adoption of advanced training for ICU nurses.

The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of teeth with apical periodontitis (AP) and root‐filled (RF) teeth in an adult Sudanese population. Panoramic and periapical radiographs were obtained for 200 patients over 18 years of age seeking routine dental care and attending the dental clinics (University of Khartoum) and the dental hospital (University of Science and Technology) for the first time. The periapical status of all teeth (except third molars) was categorized on the basis of the presence or absence of radiographic signs of AP. In addition, the frequency of RF teeth was recorded. Data were analyzed using the chi‐square test and odds ratio (OR).The periapical status of 4,967 teeth was assessed. AP in one or several teeth was identified in 95 (47%) patients and in 3.3% of the teeth. The prevalence of AP was higher in molar teeth (7.3%) than in premolar (3.5%) and anterior teeth (0.9%, p ≤ .001). There were 80 (1.6%) RF teeth in 42 (21%) patients. The probability of root‐filling in molar and premolar teeth was almost twice that of anterior teeth (OR with 95% confidence intervals: 1.06 < 1.91 < 3.44, p ≤ .05).The prevalence of RF teeth increased with age (OR of 48 ± year = 3.06, p ≤ .001). Statistical analysis showed that the probability of radiological detection of AP in RF teeth was 17‐fold higher than in nonfilled ones (OR with 95% confidence intervals: 9.87 < 16.83 < 28.25, p ≤ .001).Therefore, the probability of AP, RF teeth with or without AP, and missing teeth was high in molar teeth than in anterior or premolar teeth. The frequency of RF teeth was low compared to that demonstrated in most other epidemiological studies. This highlights the need to focus on improving the quality of restorations and the procedure by which root canal is shaped and disinfected.

Endodontic and periapical status are significant restraints that can predict tooth existence and the potential necessity for dental treatment in the growing dental population. The aim of this study is to estimate risk indicators for apical periodontitis (AP) in an adult Sudanese patients. This is an observational cross-sectional hospital-based study. Clinical and radiographical examination of 200 patients above18 years seeking routine dental management for the first time at the dental clinics (University of Khartoum) and the Dental Hospital (University of Science and Technology) was performed. The clinical examination included history and intra oral examination of coronal and periodontal status of each individual tooth. Data were assessed using the chi-square test and odds ratio at significant level of 5% and confidence level of 95%. Radiographs revealed that 624 teeth (48.7% in the maxilla; 51.3% in the mandible) were lost leaving a total of 4967 teeth to be examined. AP was found in 95 patients (47%) and 3.3% of the teeth. A remarkably increased risk for AP was detected in teeth with root fillings, specifically technical inadequate ones (OR = 4.30, P<0.05). Presence of remaining root, coronal restoration, inadequate restoration and lost restoration also increased the risk for AP (P<0.001). Teeth with mobility and probing pocket depth of more than 4 mm were also associated with AP. Therefore, the main risk indicators of AP were the high plaque percentage, radiographic evidence of root fillings, the incidence of numerous carious lesions and the inappropriateness of dental treatment.

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