Introduction: The primary aim of the study was to determine the knowledge of dental practitioners regarding HBV serological markers. Second objective was to determine prevalence of occupational exposures to HBV amongst dentists. Methodology: A questionnaire was constructed pertaining to various aspects of HBV serology; validated by an expert panel; and piloted at 49 dentists. A Cronbach-alpha value of 0.7 was attained and thus extensive survey was conducted among dentists in routine practise treating hepatitis B patients at dental teaching hospitals in Peshawar, KP. The data was analysed using SPSS v.22. Results: A response rate of 58% (a total of 290 respondents) was attained. All respondents were vaccinated against HBV. Over 50% reported not to follow Standard precautions for every patient. Overall, 20.3% experienced HBV exposure, eight were administered PEP. Fifty-four percent of FYs; 74.5% PGTs and 71.6% of faculty dentists correctly answered: HBsAg to be the ‘serological hallmark of HBV infection’; this was the most correctly answered question. Sixty-four percent dentists failed to identify the infectious carrier phase. Over 50% of dentists in each category failed to correctly answer 5/8 of the HBV serology. Conclusions: Over 20% reported HBV occupational exposure but zero transmissions. Majority of dentists did not have correct information on HBV serological profile which may jeopardise cross-infection control. Further education on HBV serological markers and its clinical relevance to dentistry along with stringent adherence to Standard precautions is recommended.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the correlation between chronological age (CA) and mandibular third molar (MTM) development in a sample of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) population. Furthermore, to provide forensic reference data for age determination from MTM mineralisation. Finally, to derive regression formulae specific to this population to estimate age using MTM calcification stages. METHODOLOGY: Four hundred and seventy orthopantomographs (OPGs) of patients aged between 13-26 years from the Orthodontics department archive at the main tertiary dental hospital of KP were studied for development of MTM staging using Demirjian's method. Spearman's Correlation was applied to determine any relationship between CA and MTM development. An Independent two-sample t-test was performed to compare third-molar development in males and females. Population-specific models was developed using quantile regression analysis. RESULTS: A strong positive correlation was found between CA and MTM development (rs = 0.853; p- <0.001). The median quantile regression equation developed for entire sample is: Age = 8.8+ 1.4(developmental stage). Ninety-four percent of males and females at stage H were at least 18 years or older. CONCLUSION: Mandibular third-molars can be an appropriate guide for CA estimation in the KP population. Stage H is likely to occur at 18 years of age. This may be valuable for medicolegal suits requiring CA estimation. KEYWORDS: forensic odontology, forensic anthropology, panoramic radiographs, chronological age estimation, mandibular third-molar, Pakistan HOW TO CITE: Tariq Q, Tareen MA, Uddin I, Hussain U. Radiographic employment of mandibular third-molar mineralisation to estimate chronological age in a population of Peshawar, Pakistan. J Pak Dent Assoc 2021;30(1):39-44.