Aim: Operative dentistry and endodontics are the two major areas where rubber dam is used extensively with special emphasis to train students on its application during dental curriculum. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the attitude of dental students toward the use of rubber dam in operative dentistry clinics along with emphasis on evaluation of its prospective application after graduation. Materials and Methods: A structured questionnaire-based analysis was performed among internship students of a dentistry program, Batterjee Medical College, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The questions were based on training, latex allergy, and selection of jaws for application of rubber dam and prospective use of rubber dam during practice. Results: A completed questionnaire by all participants ( n = 110) was analyzed and subjected to statistical analysis. Around 80.9% of the students agreed that adequate and satisfactory training for rubber dam placement was imparted while 59.1% agreed that they enquire about latex allergy before placement of rubber dam. Further, 85.5% of the students planned to use rubber dam for all procedures after graduation. Conclusion: A promising response was exhibited by this group of future dentists toward the application of rubber dam during restorative procedures.

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) uses a holistic approach that finds natural solutions that help the immune system to fight off infection and diseases. In conventional medicine, the diseases are treated as a series of symptoms developed and not its actual cause or etiology, but CAM commonly targets the exact cause of the disorder thereby stimulating the body's healing process. This is based on an integrative literature review of methods and techniques used as complementary and alternative approaches for oral health care. A comprehensive electronic database search was conducted in PubMed, CINAHL, MEDLINE, EMBASE, Google, Google Scholar, and SCOPUS. Medicinal plants such as Medicago Sativa, Aloe Barbadensis Miller (Aloe Vera), and Trifolium Pratense (Red Clover) have excellent applications in treating gum disorders, prevent tooth decay, and have demonstrated good antifungal activity in the oral cavity. Homeopathic medicines such as Belladonna, Antimonium crudum, and Chamomilla have useful applications in relieving toothache. In Chinese medicine, various acupressure points (Acupuncture) have been used to relieve pain related to tooth, head-and-neck region, sinusitis, etc. Dental professionals can utilize these treatment modalities in their practice along with other conventional procedures as an integrative treatment approach to achieve better outcomes.

Objective: The aim of this systematic review was to assess the therapeutic effect of remineralizing and antibacterial potential of resin-based nanocomposites compared with conventional composite with/without fluoride release in naturally occurring and post-orthodontic carious lesions. Data Sources: The literature search covered the electronic databases, such as PubMed, EBSCO, and Google scholar, from 2012 to 2021. Only articles published in English were included. Randomized controlled trials (RCT) and in-vitro studies were included. All studies which met eligibility criteria were reviewed by two independent reviewers. Study Selection: The processes involved in the selection of studies were presented in Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses guidelines for study screening. Finally, based on the eligibility criteria, 13 studies were selected. The remineralizing effects of nanocomposites were compared with conventional composites in clinical trials and in-vitro studies. Conclusion: Nanotechnological interventions could be used to improve the therapeutic efficiency in reducing demineralization and growth of the biofilm. Further well-designed clinical trials with long-term follow-up are essential to elucidate the clinical relevance of remineralizing agents.

Background: glass ionomer is one of the most frequently used restorative materials for primary teeth restoration. It has been in use for more than 30 years. Their restoration usefulness is preferential compared to other restorations due to their fluoride release and recharge, chemical adhesion to the structure of the dentin and their range of uses. Increasing the antibacterial efficacy of restorative materials is one of the primary goals to decrease the incidence of recurrent caries. Chlorhexidine is the gold standard antibacterial agent in dentistry. Objectives: the objective of this study is to evaluate the antibacterial effect of Chlorhexidine incorporated with glass ionomer on streptococcus mutans. Methods: Thirty Children between ages ranged 6-9 years old were selected to participate in this study. Children with bilateral caries in lower second primary molars affecting the occlusal and proximal surfaces without pulpitis were included in the study. All cavities were divided into two groups; group (A) restored with Glass Ionomer and group (B) restored with Glass Ionomer Chlorhexidine mixture. The sound proximal surfaces in all cavitated teeth acted as a control. After one month, two months and three months’ plaque samples were obtained and streptococcus mutans counts were calculated. Results: The number of SM taken from sound proximal surfaces for all groups were not changed significantly in whole periods of study. At the all-time interval, the mean log10 of SM in CHX group was lower than GI group and the difference was statistically significant. There is a significant difference in the mean log10 of SM in CHX group between the 1St month and the 3rd month. Conclusion: The growth of SM was found to be higher in the sound tooth than in GI groups and in GI group was higher than in CHX- GI mixture up to three months.