Introduction. While the short-term effects of hormonal events on gingival inflammation have been well described, their long-term effects on the periodontium have received less attention. Our investigation was aimed at evaluating the correlation between hormonal fluctuations and periodontal status in postmenopausal women from the profile of the Rafsanjan Cohort Study. Material and Methods. We used the data obtained from the profile of the Rafsanjan Cohort Study (RCS) as a part of the prospective epidemiological research studies in Iran (PERSIAN). The RCS includes 10,000 participants aged 35–70 years old. Among this population, the periodontal status data of 4143 women were available. Of these 4,143, the postmenopausal women were included in the study, and those who had a history of gingival treatment during the past 6 months were excluded from the study. Finally, 928 postmenopausal women were included in the present study. Periodontal status was assessed by measuring the clinical attachment loss, pocket depth, and bleeding on probing (BOP). Univariate and multivariate regression analyses were applied using three different models. Results. The results showed that 53.2% of postmenopausal women had periodontitis. There were significant differences between the participants with and without periodontitis in brushing frequency and educational status P < 0.05 . After adjusting for all potential confounders, no correlation was found between hormonal fluctuations and periodontal status. Conclusion. There was no correlation between hormonal fluctuations and periodontal status.

Background and Aim:The present study aimed to evaluate the materials, methods, and equipment used by general dentists in southeastern Iran for endodontic treatments in 2021. Materials and Methods:In this cross-sectional study, 121 standard questionnaires were distributed among general dentists in Rafsanjan city, Iran. The questionnaire included demographics and questions regarding the type of materials, methods, and equipment selected by general dentists. The collected data were analyzed by SPSS version 22 using the Chi-square test and ANOVA. Results: The response rate of the participants was 83%(n=100); of which, 55% were females and 45% were males. Only 28% of dentists performed pulp vitality tests, and 46% performed sinus tract tracing in case of infection. Cotton rolls were used by 71% for further isolation, apex locator and radiography were used concurrently to determine the working length by 62%, and canal preparation was done by rotary and manual files by 48%. Rotary M3 and ProTaper files were more commonly used by dentists. Electric rotary handpieces were used for canal instrumentation by 64%, and rotary orifice shapers were more commonly used for canal flaring (61%). The most commonly used obturation method was lateral compaction. Most general dentists used formocresol-impregnated cotton pellets for pulpotomy (43%). Half of the dentists used saline for canal irrigation. Calcium hydroxide was the most commonly used intracanal medicament (87%), and 53% used polymerized sealers. Conclusion: General dentists evaluated in this study violated some of the standards and need to take more training courses.

Introduction: Proper knowledge of prescribing correct radiography techniques, especially among general dentists, is important for the accurate diagnosis of dental problems and not receiving additional doses of radiation in patients. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the knowledge of general dentists about the accurate prescription of radiography in Rafsanjan City 2021. Methods: In this descriptive cross-sectional study, 100 questionnaires were completed by general dentists in Rafsanjan City to measure the awareness of radiographic methods in 9 different areas of dentistry, and then the knowledge of dentists in these 9 different areas based on age, gender and work experience was compared using independent sample t-test and ANOVA statistical tests (α=0/05). Results: In this study 53 (53%) of the dentists were male and 47 (47%) were female. The highest rate of correct answer and score was related to knowledge about radiography in children (90%), panoramic (83%) and bite wing (75%) and the lowest rate was related to periodontal questions (40%). Overall, 12% had poor knowledge, 42% had moderate knowledge and 46% had good knowledge. The overall score of knowledge in male dentists (67%) was significantly higher than in female dentists (60%). With increasing work experience, the level of knowledge about the correct prescription of radiographic techniques decreased significantly (p=0.039). Conclusion: Although the knowledge of dentists in Rafsanjan City was evaluated well in the case of the correct prescription of radiography in most areas, it is still necessary to train in some areas in retraining courses to improve the knowledge of dentists.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic led to virtual education for students, causing many problems in many countries, including Iran. Objectives: This study explains the challenges of virtual medical education and strategies to promote it from the perspective of students, faculty members, and educational staff of Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences to meet the needs and expectations of learners and educators. Methods: This qualitative study was conducted using a conventional content analysis approach in 2021. The sample size criterion was to achieve data saturation, based on which 14 faculty members, students, and educational staff were selected by purposive sampling and interviewed using a semi-structured interview guide. The accuracy of the data was ensured through participants’ views, peer review, and an external observer. MAXQDA version 10 was used to facilitate the analysis process. Results: Based on the analysis, 4 main categories for virtual education challenges, including managerial factors, problems related to the nature of virtual education, infrastructural factors, and individual factors, were extracted. Further, 4 main categories, including improving management, improving education, providing infrastructure, and informing and empowering educators, students, and educational staff, were extracted to promote virtual education during the COVID-19 pandemic at Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences. Conclusions: The challenges to which virtual education is faced and unique strategies to promote it during the COVID-19 pandemic were discussed. Understanding these challenges helps to their elimination and provides practical solutions for them. These challenges and solutions can lead to effective virtual education and thus increase the quality of learning.

Introduction: Bifid mandibular canal is one of the types of mandibular canal. Considering that failure to identify the bifid mandibular canals can lead to various complications. In the present study, bifid mandibular canal was evaluated by CBCT (Cone beam Computed tomography) images in Rafsanjan City. Methods: In this descriptive cross sectional study, all the patients who underwent CBCT at a private oral and maxillofacial radiology clinic in Rafsanjan City during the May 2019 until May 2021 were evaluated. The mandibular canal and its different types were evaluated by an experienced radiologist, using CBCT images in reconstructed coronal, sagittal and panoramic planes for each quadrant. The bifid mandibular canal was identified and its type was determined based on Naitoh classification. After collecting the data, they were entered into SPSS version 16. Descriptive statistical methods (mean, standard deviation and frequency) were used to evaluate the data. Results: In the present study, 815 CBCT radiographs were examined and 62 (7.6%) cases consisting of 29 men (7.2%) and 33 (8%) women had bifid mandibular canal. The results declared there was no significant difference between the prevalence of bifid mandibular canal between the two sexes (P = 0.647). In addition, the type of bifid canal, canal side and canal branch location were not significantly different between the two sexes. Conclusion: The present study showed that the prevalence of Bifid mandibular canal in one sample of Iranian population is 7% and its identification before treatment can prevent further problems.