Objective: To evaluate the awareness, knowledge, and attitude on monkeypox viral infection among preclinical and clinical dental students in Malaysia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 229 preclinical and clinical dental students via an online self-reported questionnaire. The questionnaire included 3 items on awareness, 15 items on knowledge, 9 items on attitude and 2 open-ended questions. Data were presented as frequencies and percentages. Chi-square test was used to compare knowledge and awareness scores between preclinical and clinical dental students and content analysis was performed for open-ended responses. Results: Preclinical and clinical dental students were aware of the existence of monkeypox (89.5% and 94.4%, respectively), that the disease emerged in non-endemic countries (81.0% and 87.1%, respectively) and that it was declared a public health emergency of international concern by the World Health Organization (73.3% and 79.0%, respectively). Clinical dental students’ overall knowledge level was significantly higher than preclinical dental students (P=0.014). Both preclinical (95.2%) and clinical (96.8%) dental students demonstrated positive attitudes toward monkeypox with no significant difference (P=0.736) noted between them. Three themes emerged from the open-ended questions: (1) reimplementation of nationwide lockdown, (2) impact on the economy and health, and (3) disruption to the educational system. Students also anticipated their face-to-face learning to be reduced should there be a new outbreak. Conclusions: Both preclinical and clinical dental students showed comparable awareness and attitudes, while the latter demonstrated greater satisfactory knowledge toward the re-emergence of monkeypox during the COVID-19 pandemic. Nonetheless, efforts to improve dental students’ understanding of this alarming outbreak are required, to safeguard their health and minimise transmission.

Today’s healthcare industry continues to advance its efforts on cleaning and disinfecting while also effectively addressing COVID-19 and other harmful organisms. However, excessive exposure to hazardous cleaning and disinfecting products can itself endanger health. Many of the ingredients used in cleaning products could be very detrimental to the health of the cleaning workers, patients and the environment. Thus, green cleaning practice plays an important role in combating COVID-19 while protecting human health and environment. This study aims to determine the components of green cleaning for healthcare facilities in Malaysia and how green cleaning contributes to human health and prevent common environmental consequences of conventional cleaning practices. A content validity study was conducted which involves eight panels of green cleaning experts. This paper is anticipated to provide an initial guideline as a basis for healthcare facilities in Malaysia in a structured way in practicing green cleaning during the pandemic.

Background Feedback is regarded as a key component of formative assessment and one of the elements with the greatest impact on students’ academic learning. The present study aimed to evaluate and compare students’ perceptions of the use of two feedback models, namely feedback sandwich and Ask-Tell-Ask (ATA), in teaching dental materials science courses. Methods All undergraduate second-year dental students were invited to participate in the dental materials science practical session and were randomly allocated into two groups: Group 1 (feedback) sandwich and Group 2 (ATA). The session began with the teacher giving a short briefing on the commonly used dental materials, followed by a short demonstration of the manipulation of those materials. Students were then allowed to mix and manipulate the materials, and teachers provided feedback accordingly. At the end of the session, 16 close-ended (five-point Likert scales) and an open-ended questionnaire were distributed to students to evaluate their perceptions of the feedback given. Internal reliability of the questionnaire items was evaluated using Cronbach’s alpha. Mean feedback scores were analysed using an independent t-test with ANCOVA for controlling gender and ethnicity. Thematic analysis was used to code the qualitative data. Results Sixty-nine students participated in the present study with the majority being females (72.5%) and Chinese (79.7%). Cronbach’s alpha analysis suggested removing three Likert-scale items, with the remaining 13 items being accepted. Generally, no significant difference was noted between the two groups (p = 0.197), but three items were found to be significant (p < 0.05), with higher mean scores in the feedback sandwich group. Moreover, no significant difference was noted between the two feedback models (p = 0.325) when controlling gender and ethnicity. The open-ended question showed that students in the feedback sandwich group expressed greater positive perceptions. Conclusion Although students generally had positive perceptions of both feedback models, they tended to favour the feedback sandwich. Neither gender nor ethnicity affected the students’ perceptions of the two feedback models.

Objective: to explore the perceptions of Malaysian private dentists on the use of the International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS) in their dental practice. Material and Methods: this qualitative study involved individual interviews with twelve general dental practitioners working in the private sector, who has been exposed to ICDAS training during their undergraduate study. Purposive sampling was carried out among private dentists in Malaysia from various states to reflect diversity. The interviews were recorded and transcribed. Data analysis was conducted by thematic analysis. Results: five main barriers were identified through the coding process, namely time factors, lack of training, having no effect on treatment planning, charting difficulties, and low patient awareness on prevention. Better training and a strong requirement by the authorities to use this system were identified as the enabling factors. Conclusion: private dentists in Malaysia encountered a myriad of challenges in adopting the ICDAS index. Hence, it is necessary to provide adequate training and assistance in understanding the benefits of utilizing the ICDAS system, and computerization of data input.