Knowledge about oral cancer risk factors and signs is thought to improve prevention and early diagnosis, and in turn, increases survival. In this population-based survey, knowledge about oral cancer was assessed in Iran. A total of 1800 self-administered questionnaires (collecting sociodemographic data and questions regarding oral cancer risk factors and signs) were distributed through random sampling. Final scores ranged between 0 and 15 for the risk factors and 0-11 for the signs. Scores below the median indicated a low level of knowledge, scores representing the third quartile of correct answers indicated a moderate level of knowledge, and scores representing the upper quartile indicated a high level of knowledge. Statistical tests were used for analysis of knowledge level in different sociodemographic categories. A total of 1312 participants completed the questionnaires. The average of knowledge scores for risk factors was 5.3 ± 3.0 and for signs was 4.5 ± 2.9. Overall, 75 and 56% respectively were able to identify major risk factors (smoking and alcohol); 23.5% could not define any related signs and symptoms. Dividing scores into quartiles indicated that three out of four people had "low" knowledge about risk factors and 58% had "low" knowledge about signs and symptoms. Females and highly educated people had more knowledge of oral cancer. Significant difference was found between job and level of knowledge (P = 0.001). This survey revealed that public knowledge of oral cancer was not satisfactory in Iran. Efforts should be done to inform and educate people with risk factors, initial clinical presentation, and symptoms, in order to improve prevention and promote early diagnosis.

No abstract

No abstract

Magnesium (Mg) plays an important role in controlling bone apatite structure and density and is a potential bioactive material in repairing critical‐sized bone defects. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effect of adding NanoMgO to polycaprolactone/beta‐tricalcium phosphate (PCL/β‐TCP) scaffolds on bone regeneration. Novel 3D‐printed porous PCL/β‐TCP composite scaffolds containing 10% nanoMgO were fabricated by fused deposition modeling (FDM) and compared with PCL/β‐TCP (1:1) scaffolds (control). The morphology and physicochemical properties of the scaffolds were characterized by ATR‐FTIR, XRD, scanning electron microscope‐energy dispersive X‐ray analysis (SEM–EDX), transmission‐electron‐microscopy (TEM), water contact angle, and compressive strength tests and correlated to its cytocompatibility and osteogenic capacity in‐vitro. To evaluate in‐vivo osteogenic capacity, bone‐marrow‐derived stem cell (BMSC)‐loaded scaffolds were implanted into 8 mm rat critical‐sized calvarial defects for 12 weeks. The hydrophilic scaffolds showed 50% porosity (pore size = 504 μm). MgO nanoparticles (91.5 ± 27.6 nm) were homogenously dispersed and did not adversely affect BMSCs' viability and differentiation. Magnesium significantly increased elastic modulus, pH, and degradation. New bone formation (NBF) in Micro‐CT was 30.16 ± 0.31% and 23.56 ± 1.76% in PCL/β‐TCP/nanoMgO scaffolds with and without BMSCs respectively, and 19.38 ± 2.15% and 15.75 ± 2.24% in PCL/β‐TCP scaffolds with and without BMSCs respectively. Angiogenesis was least remarkable in PCL/β‐TCP compared with other groups (p < .05). Our results suggest that the PCL/β‐TCP/nanoMgO scaffold is a more suitable bone substitute compared to PCL/β‐TCP in critical‐sized calvarial defects.

Introduction: Obstructive sleep apnea is a relatively common sleep disorder, which leads to multiple sleep arousal and hypoxemia. It also has a significant socioeconomic impact. Dentists can have a role in screening as well as treating apnea by orthodontic devices. No study has evaluated the knowledge and attitude of dental health professionals about obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in Iran. We aimed to measure knowledge and attitude among students and faculty members of Shahid Beheshti Dental School, Tehran, Iran about OSA. Materials and Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey among residents and professors in oral and maxillofacial surgery, orthodontics, and oral medicine specialties and dental students. The Obstructive Sleep Apnea Knowledge and Attitude (OSAKA) questionnaire was used to obtain the information regarding knowledge and attitude. We used Chi-square, Kruskall Wallis, Mann-Whitney U test for statistical analysis. The data were analyzed by SPSS 22.0 and a p-value lower than 0.05 considered to be significant. Results: One hundred ninety-seven participants, including 43 dental students, 68 dental residents, and 64 dental professors filled the survey. Mean knowledge score among all participants was 10.69 (SD=3.133). Overall, oral medicine and oral and maxillofacial surgery professors had significantly higher correct answer ratios in the knowledge section than fifth and sixth-year dental students (p<0.001). There was no significant difference among other groups (p>0.05). About attitude, 91% of respondents reported that OSA is an important or extremely important disorder. However, only 10.2% and 16.9% felt confident about the ability to manage patients with OSA and identifying patients at risk for OSA, respectively. Conclusion: All of the participants had poor knowledge but a positive attitude towards OSA. This shows the necessity of better education about OSA.