Background: Oral health knowledge is essential for establishing healthy behaviors. Aim: The purpose of the study was to determine and compare the basic oral health knowledge of 3-6th grade government primary school students and teachers in rural areas of Saudi Arabia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among government primary school students and teachers in a rural area (Thadig and Ad-Delam) of the Riyadh region of Saudi Arabia using validated, structured, close-ended and self-administered questionnaires. The questionnaire comprised demographic variables and 18 multiple-choice items. A convenience sampling methodology was employed to select the study sample. Results: A total of 1864 subjects from rural area government primary schools [students (N = 1538) and teachers (N = 326)] participated in this study. The majority of the students were females 841 (54.7%), Saudi nationals 1376 (89.5%), and studying in 5th grade 446 (29%). Most teacher participants were females, 199 (61.0%), and Saudi nationals, 326 (100.0%). Teachers (12.62 ± 2.36) demonstrated significantly higher overall mean knowledge scores compared to the students (9.63 ± 2.36) (p < 0.001). Females and non-Saudi students showed significantly higher mean knowledge scores compared to their counterparts. However, 4th standard students showed significantly lower mean knowledge scores compared to other graders. Female teachers (13.17 ± 2.25) demonstrated significantly higher overall oral health knowledge scores compared to male teachers (11.75 ± 2.26) (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Basic oral health knowledge was adequate among 3-6th grade government primary school students and teachers in rural areas of the Riyadh region.

Background: Evaluating the clinical competencies of radiologist and technologist is the primary important factor in all medical imaging areas, and it is a necessary prerequisite for assuring professional standard care in radiography. Aim: to evaluate clinical competences from the views of radiologists and technologists by applying the Radiographers" Competence Scale (RCS). Method: A cross-sectional survey conducted on 185 participants recruited from six hospitals of Asir region of Saudi Arabia. All data were collected using the self-administrative questionnaire of 28 items scale of radiographer competence scale consisting of the two components; initial care scale and technical radiographic process. The level of competencies scale was rated through 10point and frequency of use on 6point scale. Results: The survey completed by 82 (44.3%) radiologist and 103 (55.7%) technologist. Overall mean significant (P < 0.001) differences scores of Initial Care scale observed between radiologist and technologist. However, with reference to technical and radiographic process no mean significant differences were detected between the two groups. The technologist attributed the highest evaluations to such competencies as "Adequately informing the patient" and "Guiding the patient's relatives", while other attributes the lowest evaluations expressed in the competencies. The radiologists attributed the highest evaluations to such competences as "Collaborating with physicians "and "Independent carrying out of the doctor"s prescriptions", while the lowest evaluations to the same competences as the technologists. Conclusion: The significant findings underline the radiologist and high technologist competences in both "Initial Care scale "and "Technical and Radiographic Process". However, the lower rated competences emphasis on continuous professional development in the area of medical radiology.

The incidence and prevalence of urinary tract calculi has increased significantly during the past decade. Accurate fast diagnostic modalities were developed to cope with such an increased trend. To date, non-contrast CT scan remains the diagnostic modality of choice for evaluation of patients with urinary tract calculi. However, contrast CT scans are gaining more interest. In this review, both diagnostic modalities were reviewed with the advantages and disadvantages of each. Non-contrast CT scan is a rapid, accurate, less hazardous, less expensive imaging modality that has a high sensitivity in detection of urinary calculi as small as 3 mm. However, it cannot evaluate other probable causes of flank pain. Thus, contrast CT scans can be used in situations where clinical presentation is suspicious and the possibility of other differential diagnoses is considered. Contrast CT scans do not decrease the sensitivity of detecting urinary calculi, and they do have a higher sensitivity in detecting small grades of obstruction as well as evaluating other possible causes of flank pain such as neoplasms, infectious, or inflammatory aetiologies.