Objective: To assess some habits and practices related to denture wearing among subjects reporting to Watim Teaching Dental Hospital, Rawalpindi. Materials and Methods: This is a cross-sectional study conducted at Watim Dental College, Rawalpindi, from December 2018 to August 2019. Using a pre-structured questionnaire, data were collected from 155 subjects having used complete dentures for a minimum of 6-months. The questionnaire consisted of information including the type of dentures, duration and frequency of denture wearing, and denture cleaning habits. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20. Results: Out of 155 participants, 80 (51.6%) were male and 75 (48.4%) were females. 89 (57.4%) patients use toothbrushes and soap for denture cleaning. 139 (89.7%) participants didn’t wear dentures while sleeping and soaked them in water. 98 (63.2%) respondents were not using antiseptic oral rinse and were casual in mouth-cleaning. Conclusion: From this study, it is concluded that 65 (41.9%) subjects were cleaning their dentures once a day. The study also reveals that 65 (41.9%) edentulous participants were not able to clean their oral cavity. Dentists should emphasize the importance of recall visits to evaluate the status of denture hygiene along with mucosal surface examination. Patient motivation to follow hygiene instructions and informing them about the harmful effects of overnight wearing of dentures should be part of delivering the prostheses to them.

Introduction: Temporomandibular Disorder (TMDs) are the most common condition affecting the Temporomandibular Joint and associated structures with limitation of masticatory function with complex interaction of factors. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of TMDs by the use of questionnaire in non-patient population i.e dental students of Pakistan.

Objectives: To assess the clinical supervisors’ performance in the workplace as perceived by themselves and their trainees to determine their educational needs. Study Design: Multisite Descriptive Cross-sectional. Setting: Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry at Nine Public and Private Teaching Hospitals of Rawalpindi/Islamabad. Period: 1st March 2018 till 31st January 2019. Material & Methods: Data were collected from clinical supervisors and their trainees using modified Maastricht Clinical Teaching Questionnaire (mMCTQ) to assess clinical supervisors’ modelling, coaching, scaffolding, articulation, Reflection, exploration, and learning climate for trainees’ clinical practice. Descriptive and inferential statistics were calculated using SPSS v.23. Results: A total of 37 supervisors and 135 trainees participated in the study. The overall agreement was low on observing multiple trainee-patient encounters (Mean=3.64±1.17; 3.24±1.10), delivering effective feedback (Mean=3.89±0.91; 3.60±1.04), discussing rationale for trainees’ actions (Mean=3.92±0.69; 3.65±0.97) and consistently demonstrating clinical tasks (Mean=3.97±0.87; 3.46±0.79). The trainees significantly (p<0.05) differed from their supervisors’ perceptions in their supervisors’ abilities to help them become aware of the gaps in their knowledge and skills, ask and also encourage questions, and adjust teaching activities to reach the trainees level of experience. Conclusion: The study highlighted multiple issues with supervision regarding observation of trainee-patient encounters, deliver effective feedback, and demonstrate clinical tasks. The agreement of trainees on their supervisors’ educational abilities is lower than that of supervisors. There is a need for structured training with protected time for clinical supervision.

Objective: To compare the mean dentin hypersensitivity after using GC tooth mousse versus fluoride varnish in patients with dentinal hypersensitivity due to non-carious cervical lesions. Study Design: Randomized Control Trial. Setting: Watim Dental College, Rawalpindi. Period: February to August 2019. Material & Methods: A total number of 166 patients were enrolled in the study. Informed consent and demographic information were taken. The subjects were randomized by using random number table to minimize bias. Patients were divided into 2 groups. Fluoride varnish (group 1) which is the control group and GC Tooth Mousse which is group 2, both were used 3 times in the first day during the first week. On follow up the tooth sensitivity was noted. The follow up appointment to measure the level of dentinal hypersensitivity was done after the given treatment on the 7th day of the first week. For measuring the dentin hypersensitivity, the Visual Analogue Scale was used. The data that was collected was entered and 1 then it was analyzed on SPSS version 21. Results: In this study mean age of the fluoride varnish group patients was 44.14±8.95 years, in GC tooth mousse group patients was 44.24±9.04 years. The mean pain score of fluoride varnish group patients was 1.98±1.43 while in GC Tooth Mousse paste group patients was 2.39±1.21 (p-value=0.048). Conclusion: Fluoride varnish group showed significantly lower mean dentin hypersensitivity than to GC tooth mousse group in patients with dentinal hypersensitivity with caries free cervical lesions.

Background: The closure of educational institutes in Pakistan due to COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a spontaneous shift from traditional to digital teaching and learning. The present study explores the perception of undergraduate dental students regarding its advantages and limitations. Methods: This qualitative study was conducted from December 2020 to February 2021. Utilizing non-probability sampling technique 12 students from three dental colleges of Rawalpindi participated in the study. Three focus group interviews, each with four students were carried out. Data was transcribed verbatim and thematic analysis done. Result: The advantages include becoming a self-directed learner, ease and accessibility.  The online teaching was perceived well and participants agreed it saved their time and enhanced time utility. However the challenges included technical issues, behavioral issues and learning compromised clinical skills. Students in their preclinical years were more satisfied with online teaching as compared to those in their clinical years. Conclusion: The present study support the use of online teaching and learning. This mode of teaching allowed the continuation of medical and dental education during these uncertain times. Hence rigorous effects be made to maximize the promising potential benefits of online teaching. Reevaluating the dental curriculum, by incorporating online teaching within traditional dental education will strengthen the curricula and enable future dentist to have an impact in the community. Keywords: COVID-19, Dental education, Dental students, Online teaching, Undergraduate