BACKGROUNDSmoking is a serious risk to health globally. Health care professionals play a key role in the prevention of smoking as they are considered a role model by patients.OBJECTIVESThe aims of this study are to evaluate smoking rate among physicians and dentists from Sulaymaniyah, Iraqi Kurdistan, Iraq, and to understand their knowledge and attitudes toward tobacco smoking.METHODSA cross-sectional web-based survey was conducted involving physicians and dentists working in both University of Sulaimani and Sulaymaniyah Teaching Hospitals. A questionnaire created based on World Health Organization Global Health Professional Survey with slight modifications was emailed to the study participants and the responses received were analyzed.RESULTSIncidence of smoking among physicians and dentists was 26.5%, with a significantly higher rate among male compared to female health care professionals. The mean age of starting smoking was 22.3 (±4.8) years. Only 7.3% of health care professionals received formal training on smoking cessation. All responders agreed that smoking is harmful to health. However, ever smokers compared to never smokers were less likely to agree that health care professionals should set a positive impact by not smoking.CONCLUSIONSmoking rate is high among physicians and dentists from Sulaymaniyah city/Iraq, and at the same time, there is a low rate of training on smoking cessation.

Background/purpose The formation of white spot lesions (WSLs) around fixed orthodontic attachments is a common complication during and following fixed orthodontic treatment, marking the result of a successfully completed treatment. This double-blind, randomized clinical trial study aims to investigate the varying effects of nano-silver, chlorhexidine (CHX) or fluoride mouthwashes on WSLs. Materials and methods Double-blind prospective randomized clinical trial, comprised of forty-two patients with mild to moderate crowding, were recruited for this study. Randomization and allocation to trial group were carried out by computer system in college of dentistry, university of Sulaimani from January 2020 to September 2020. The patients were divided into three groups (14 per group) according to the type of mouthwash used during the treatment (nano-silver, CHX or fluoride), using block randomization. The clinical examination for the presence of WSLs was recorded through visual examination of the upper and lower anterior teeth using the International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS II) score before bonding and at 30, 90 and 180 days after bonding of the upper and lower arches. Results The total number of patients was 42 (16 males and 26 females) with a mean age of 23.02 ± 3.841 (18–37) years old, distributed into three groups of 14 patients. There is significant difference in white spot lesions formation between the three groups; the mean of WSLs in nanosilver group is lower than CHX and fluoride group in 90 and 180 days of follow-up (P < 0.05). Conclusion Nano-silver mouthwash is more effective than CHX and fluoride mouthwash in reducing WSLs during orthodontic treatment.

Maxillary midline diastema (MMD) is a common aesthetic problem of people seeking orthodontic problem, which means spacing greater than 0.5 mm between the proximal surfaces of maxillary central incisors. The causes for MMD may be: high frenum attachment; microdontia; macrognathia; supernumerary teeth; peg laterals; missing lateral incisors; midline cysts and unhealthy oral habits. Objectives: The purposes of this study were to determine the prevalence of MMD among Shorish dental clinic`s patients seeking orthodontic treatment and to find the factors associated with this anomaly. Materials and Methods: During 6 months, 507 patients with age (13-40) years old attending Shorish Dental Clinic, seeking orthodontic treatment were screened to find the prevalence and etiology of MMD. Result: The MMD was present in 110 patients (21.7%). The frequency of MMD was the same in males and females. It is highest in the young age group and lowest in the older age group (29% vs. 4%). Conclusion: The most frequent factor among the observed etiological factors was oral unhealthy habit which was found in 40% of MMD patients and 8.7% of all cases.

Introduction: This study was performed to assess the root resorption of retained primary teeth having no successors. Methods: According to the selection criteria, 2232 students were diagnosed and selected. The statistical analysis was performed by using a statistical software IBM SPSS version 21. Results: only 83 subjects had retained deciduous teeth (R.D.T) giving percentage of 3.71%. Periapical radiographs were used to assess the resorption of the roots. Furthermore, 126 roots was found in the (95) R.D.T, (66) roots was in males and (60) was in females and all roots have some form of resorption. No significant relationship was observed between different variables (arch, gender, and sides) and the root resorption, (P value =0.138, 0.1258 and 0.176) respectively of P <0.05. Conclusion: Within the limitation of the study, the primary maxillary canine were the most frequently retained deciduous teeth, followed by the mandibular 2 nd primary molar, but the maxillary central incisor and mandibular 1 st molar are the least. Regarding levels of root resorption, the level 1 root resorption was the most frequent 51.6 %, followed by level 2, level 3& level 4 respectively; 23.8%, 14.3% & 10.3%.

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