Background One of fundamental components of general health and wellbeing is oral health. Among various oral diseases, periodontitis affects a large number of populations around the developed and underdeveloped countries of the world. The first step to manage this disease at the community level is to know its prevalence and trend. Therefore, this systematic review was planned to document the prevalence of periodontitis at the national and regional level. Methods Literature was searched using various databases, such as PubMed, Google Scholar, Pak Medi net and Eric. Keywords used were “Prevalence”, “Periodontitis”, “Pakistan” “Prevalence of periodontitis in Pakistan”, “prevalence and/or periodontitis and/or Pakistan”. The research methodology was based on the PRISMA guidelines (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis) to extract and later analyze relevant studies. Quality assessment of all the included studies was performed using Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) critical appraisal checklist. Results Thirty studies that fulfilled the inclusion criteria and reported the prevalence of periodontitis in the Pakistani population were included. A total of 17,757 subjects were included in the systematic review from 30 studies. The prevalence estimate of periodontitis (keeping 95%CI) was 37% from Punjab, 40% from Sindh, 20% from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and 3% from Baluchistan. Conclusion Based on our collection of data prevalence of periodontitis in Pakistan was found to be high. Therefore, it can be concluded that in Pakistan periodontitis is a serious dental issue that must be sorted out to improve the oral health related quality of life in this demographic part. This paper will serve as a baseline for planning future health policies to address this disease in the country.

… Introduction: Contemporary dentistry has shifted its paradigm from therapeutic to preventive. Dento-alveolar injuries are quiet frequently reported and sports remain as one of the major cause. In Pakistan contact sports like boxing, hockey, football etc are actively played at all levels. It is the need of the hour to prevent the dental and dento-alveolar injuries resulting from these. Literature suggests that mouthguard is the best option available. Aims and Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the level of awareness about mouthguards in final year students, PG trainees, and faculty of University College of Dentistry and private dental practitioners of Lahore. Also the results shall be utilized to assess the need of awareness programmes that can be of help to the dentist and help serve the community. Study Design: cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out. Setting: Study was carried out in University College of Dentistry and private practitioners of Lahore. Period: Study was carried out over a period of 6 months. Material and Methods: 87% responded to questionnaire distributed from a sample of 200. Results: Results show that the students had the least knowledge (63%) whereas 100% of the assistant professors and above had knowledge of mouthguard. general dentists and the senior faculty was the one with higher percentages which recommended mouthguards 53% and 80% respectively. Conclusion: Results lead to the conclusion that there is a need to improve the competency level of the dentists regarding mouthguards, their benefits, fabrication etc. so they can educate the patients, promote the use if mouthguards and limit the incidence of injuries. Further research projects need to be funded to highlight the importance of mouthguards and their use should be encouraged.

Introduction: Contemporary dentistry has shifted its paradigm from therapeuticto preventive. Dento-alveolar injuries are quiet frequently reported and sports remain as oneof the major cause. In Pakistan contact sports like boxing, hockey, football etc are activelyplayed at all levels. It is the need of the hour to prevent the dental and dento-alveolar injuriesresulting from these. Literature suggests that mouthguard is the best option available. Aimsand Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the level of awareness about mouthguardsin final year students, PG trainees, and faculty of University College of Dentistry and privatedental practitioners of Lahore. Also the results shall be utilized to assess the need of awarenessprogrammes that can be of help to the dentist and help serve the community. Study Design:cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out. Setting: Study was carried out in UniversityCollege of Dentistry and private practitioners of Lahore. Period: Study was carried out over aperiod of 6 months. Material and Methods: 87% responded to questionnaire distributed from asample of 200. Results: Results show that the students had the least knowledge (63%) whereas100% of the assistant professors and above had knowledge of mouthguard. general dentistsand the senior faculty was the one with higher percentages which recommended mouthguards53% and 80% respectively. Conclusion: Results lead to the conclusion that there is a need toimprove the competency level of the dentists regarding mouthguards, their benefits, fabricationetc. so they can educate the patients, promote the use if mouthguards and limit the incidence ofinjuries. Further research projects need to be funded to highlight the importance of mouthguardsand their use should be encouraged.

OBJECTIVES: To systematically assess the outcome of interventions used to treat patients who have trismus as a result of radiotherapy to the head and neck region in the treatment of Head and Neck Cancer (HNC). METHODOLOGY: Searches were carried out on online databases (Medline, Embase and The Cochrane Central Library) on the 19th of June 2019 and then again using the same search terms on the 6th of June 2021. Randomized and Nonrandomized trials aimed at treating trismus as a side effect of head and neck radiotherapy (RT) were included for this systematic review. A total of 5 papers were reviewed for the purpose of this systematic review. RESULTS: Results show that there is limited evidence to support the use of any treatment modality other than structured jaw exercises to help treat trismus in patients with a history of HNC and RT induced fibrosis. There is no evidence to support the use of Botulinum toxin A, while further studies are needed to clarify the effectiveness of Pentoxifylline (with or without conjunction with Vitamin E) and Pregabalin in the treatment of postradiotherapy fibrosis. CONCLUSION: There is a need for more randomized control trials to identify treatment modalities for radiotherapy induced trismus. Rehabilitation exercises have been implemented across all papers involved in this study which indicates the need for analysis and identification of a pharmaceutical intervention. KEYWORDS: Head and neck cancer, trismus, lockjaw, radiotherapy, randomized controlled trial, placebo

Background: Curriculum is a dynamic thing that has evolved over the years to ensure the competency of health care professionals. Due to guidelines issued by international accrediting agencies, University College of Medicine & Dentistry implemented an integrated modular curriculum in 2015 that is coordinated and coherent.  Objectives: The objective of this study was to explore the difficulties that the faculty faced while implementing an integrated curriculum for the undergraduate dental program (BDS) at the University College of Dentistry, The University of Lahore.   Methods: This descriptive exploratory study was conducted from September 2020 till January 2021 at University College of Dentistry, The University of Lahore. Thirty-five faculty members were interviewed. The interviews were analyzed thematically after being transcribed. Results: Six themes emerged from the analysis of interviews. These themes were: working environment, distribution of workload, communication, faculty development and retention, evaluation and leadership. Conclusions: Integrated curriculum may be the need of the hour; however, its implementation comes with a set of challenges, which include a non-conducive working environment, uneven distribution of workload, absence of a sound faculty development and retention program, or absence of adequate resources. These factors may hinder the implementation of the integrated curriculum.