Background: Every single field preferred artificial intelligence with great passion and thereby the discipline of dental science is no exemption. Aims: To evaluate the awareness and perception of dentists regarding artificial intelligence among dentists working in Karachi Methods: The current online cross-sectional survey conducted in Karachi during july 2021 . The survey included house officers, post-graduate trainees, and general dental practitioner and specialist consultant dental surgeons of either gender. A questionnaire was adopted from an existing similar study and modifications were made according to our settings. The link of survey was created using Google Docs and disseminated through various open social media groups of dental practitioner in Karachi. Results: Total 118 complete responses were received with almost equal responses from males (n=56, 47.5%) and females (n=52.5%). The mean age of study participants was 30.3±5.9 years. 83(70.3%) had awareness of the artificial intelligence driven tools in dentistry. 75.9%, 77.1%, 10.8%, 28.9%, 39.8%, 2.4% and 10.8% reported the use of digital intraoral radiographs, CAD-CAM, CBCT, digital dental records, clinical decision support system and none of the tool in their practice respectively. All of the participants had opinion that AI applications should be part of dental trainings. Conclusion: The present survey showed that the majority had awareness of AI applications in dentistry and had positive perception regarding its future role but there was lacking in the utilization rate of AI tools in their practice. Therefore, it is recommended to attend AI trainings to bring and adapt the AI related changes in local settings. Keywords: Artificial intelligence, dentistry, online survey, perception, awareness, Karachi

Objectives: The objective of this study was to compare the mental health effects and attitude of male and female patients visiting Dental OPD during the COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and methods: This Descriptive study was conducted amongst patients visiting dental setup of Jinnah Sindh medical university and Jinnah postgraduate center. Consent was taken before participation in the study. Patients visiting dental OPD (SIOHS and JPMC) were requested to fill the hardcopy of the questionnaire. Co-authors translated and filled the questionairre for those patients who were unable to read and write. Mental health status and attitude regarding COVID-19 were assessed through closed-ended questions. Results: Compared to males, females were more afraid of becoming infected with COVID-19 (p-value 0.018), affected more emotionally with COVID-19 pandemic (p-value 0.042), were wearing mask more frequently (p-value 0.038) and were more afraid dental treatment due to COVID-19 (p-value 0.023). With increase in qualification there was increase in COVID-19 fear (p-value 0.028), emotional effect (p-value 0.000) and effect on daily routine (p-value 0.002).   Conclusion: Majority of the participants visiting the dental OPD were unaware of the preventive measures to protect themselves from COVID-19. As compared to males, female patients were more concerned and had a positive attitude towards protection from COVID-19. Furthermore, this attitude was more in people who were more educated.

Background: The present study was conducted to evaluate the frequency of different types of Oral Mucosal Lesions (OMLs) and to identify the associated risk factors. Methodology: A retrospective study was conducted at the Department of oral diagnosis in collaboration with the department of oral pathology SIOHS, Karachi Pakistan between January 2017 to December 2020. All cases of lesions and ulcers of the oral cavity were included in the study. Missing data were excluded. Diagnosed cases of oral mucosal lesions were documented. The data was then stratified according to the age groups, gender, symptoms, comorbidities, marital status, etc. Results: A mean age of 38.3 ± 11.86 years was observed. The subjects manifested multiple lesions with OSF standing as the most prevalent one at 29%, followed by aphthous ulcers at 20.2%, candidiasis at 14%, and nicotinic stomatitis at 10.4%. The majority of the patients with aphthous ulcers were significantly associated with young age while frictional keratosis was significantly associated with elderly age (p=0.002), respectively. 15 (93.8%) patients who were married were diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma (p<0.004) and stiffening of the mouth was significantly associated with squamous cell carcinoma (p<0.0001). Conclusion: In conclusion, the increased occurrence of oral mucosal lesions with age is most likely attributable to an age-related decline in health status and is highly correlated to substance abuse; its amount, duration, type, and regularity. Keywords: oral mucosal lesion, carcinoma, gingiva, buccal, maxillofacial, tumor

OBJECTIVE: Dental health care workers around the globe are potentially vulnerable of contracting COVID-19 disease. Many studies have investigated the presence of anxiety and mental health issues amongst the healthcare worker, especially the dental professional, during COVID-19. This study aimed to compare the anxiety of dental postgraduate trainees of different specialties towards COVID-19. METHODOLOGY: An online questionnaire comprising 11 items was forwarded to dental postgraduate (PGs) trainees in Karachi for specialties of Endodontics/Operative Dentistry, Oral Surgery, Prosthodontics and Orthodontics. Responses to 9 questions were recorded on a 3-point Likert scale, where ‘Agree’ indicated anxiety and ‘Disagree’ showed no anxiety. Questions also inquired PGs opinion about the specialty and dental procedures which they perceived to have the greatest risk of infection. RESULTS: Almost 62% of responses by the participants affirmed their anxiety as demonstrated by their reply to various questions based on Likert scale. Gender (p =0.012) and marital status (p= 0.036) revealed significant difference with respect to anxiety related to closure of dental OPD in face of second wave of COVID-19 and treatment cost if infected, respectively.Treatments like ultrasonic scaling (84%) and endodontics (79%) while training in specialty of Endodontics/Operative Dentistry (88%) and Oral Surgery (69%) were considered having greatest risk to contract COVID-19. CONCLUSION: Anxiety was expressed among trainees of all dental specialties, with training in specialties of Endodontics and Oral Surgery considered at the highest risk of contracting COVID-19, with ultrasonic scaling and endodontics regarded as most risky procedures. KEYWORDS: Anxiety, COVID-19, Endodontics/Operative Dentistry, Oral Surgery, Orthodontics, Prosthodontics.

Background: The risk of transmission of novel SARS CoronaVirus-2 among health care workers can be reduced using personal protective equipment. It is critical to follow guidelines for appropriate use of protective gear to avoid its wastage. This study aimed to evaluate frontline healthcare workers’ understanding of effective donning and doffing of protective equipment in the wake of recent emergence of corona virus disease.Physical impacts due to its prolonged usage were also identified. Material and Methods: A cross sectional survey was conducted targeting frontline health care workers from June till July 2021. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 24. Descriptive analysis was performed for qualitative variables.Chi-square test was utilized to determine association between qualitative variables and p <0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. Results: A total of 204 responses were received. Surgical masks (53.9%), gloves (51.5%), gowns (46.1%) and N95 respirator (40.7%) were most frequently used. Physicians had better knowledge on correct utilization of protective equipment as compared to non-physicians, p<0.001.Only 55.9% and 47.1% participants knew correct donning and doffing sequence respectively.The most prevalent mistakes while doffingwere touching front of mask and potentially contaminated surfaces followed by incorrect doffing sequence.Mostrespondentsmentioned scarcity of protective gear. Around 53% participants did not attend any training session on utilization of personal protective equipment. Prolonged exposure to masks and gloves led to acne, facial marks and itching. Frequent practice of hand hygiene was linked with skin dryness and cracking, p<0.001. Conclusion: We observed lack of expertise in donning and doffing technique. Mostly mistakes occurred during doffing, so interactive workshops are required to train health care workers.Most common dermatological manifestationsdue to use of masks and gloves included acne, facial markings, and itching. Adverse effects of prolonged use of PPE can be avoided by having shorter duration of working hours and giving rest during the shifts. Keywords: COVID-19; personal protective equipment; skin manifestation; pandemics.