Aims:To evaluate the self-perceived preparedness of final-year dental undergraduate students in dental public universities in Malaysia. Methods:Final-year dental undergraduate students from six dental public universities in Malaysia were invited to participate in an online study using a validated DentalUndergraduates Preparedness Assessment Scale DU-PAS. Results:In total, about 245 students responded to the online questionnaire yielding a response rate of 83.05%. The age range of the respondents was 23-29 years with a mean age of 24.36 (SD 0.797). The total score obtained by the respondents was ranged from 48 to 100 with a mean score of 79.56 (SD 13.495). Weaknesses were reported in several clinical skills, cognitive and behavioural attributes.

BackgroundNeonatal teeth erupt during the neonatal period and natal teeth are the presence of teeth since birth. While rare, natal teeth and neonatal teeth can have a significant impact on breastfeeding. Neonatal teeth are less common, and although its exact etiology is still unknown, it can cause difficulties in breastfeeding to the mother and may eventually lead to discontinuation of breastfeeding. Other associated possible complications include tooth aspiration and sublingual ulceration. This paper was aimed to discuss the clinical features, complications, and management of neonatal tooth, in addition to its impact on breastfeeding and role in sublingual ulcer formation.Case presentationWe present a baby girl who had a neonatal tooth with sublingual ulceration (Riga-Fede disease), which resulted in a difficulty to breastfeed for the baby and nipple pain to the mother. Following the extraction of the baby’s tooth, she immediately continued breastfeeding, and her tongue ulcer healed well.ConclusionExtraction of the neonatal tooth promoted rapid healing of oral ulcers and the reestablishment of breastfeeding.

Background Curing of resin-based composites depends on the delivery of adequate total energy, which may be operator dependent. Aim To determine the effect of interincisal opening, cavity location and operator experience on the total energy delivered to simulated cavity preparation sites. Design Three cohorts were included: junior dental nurses, senior dental nurses and qualified dentists (N=5, each cohort). Each operator (participant) followed the same procedure and light-cured two simulated restorations in a MARC® patient simulator using a Demi™ light-curing unit for 20 seconds in each of the following situations: left upper second molar (UL7), interincisal opening at both 25mm and 45mm; upper central incisor (UR1), interincisal opening at 45mm. The light energy delivered by each operator in each situation was recorded. Five readings for each operator were taken at each interincisal distance. Statistical comparisons of delivered energy (J/cm2) between interincisal openings, location and groups in the total energy delivered were performed using the Kruskal-Wallis nonparametric test: α=0.05. Results Less total energy was delivered to the posterior cavity at 25mm (12.0 ± 5.3J/cm2) than at 45mm (16.9 ± 5.6J/cm2) by all operators ( P<0.05). At 45mm, less total energy was delivered to the posterior cavity compared to the anterior cavity (25.1 ± 7.4J/cm2; P<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference between junior nurses and qualified dentists ( P>0.05) but there was a significant difference in the total energy delivered between senior nurses (20.1 ± 7.8J/cm2) and junior nurses (17.5 ± 7.6J/cm2) and between senior nurses and qualified dentists (16.6 ± 8.7J/cm2) ( P<0.05). Conclusions Interincisal mouth opening, location of the cavity and operator experience affected the total energy delivered to cavities in a simulated clinical environment.

Aim: To investigate the depression, anxiety and stress, stressors and relieving factors among dental students at Kulliyyah of Dentistry (KOD). Materials and methods:  A cross-sectional study was conducted among 222 dental students. Their socio-demographic data, self-reported depression, anxiety and stress (DASS-21) scores, causes and relieving factors were collected using validated semi-structured pre-tested questionnaires. The data was analysed using percentages, chi-square test and Binary logistic regression tests with SPSS version 24. Results: The prevalence of depression, anxiety and stress was 41%, 68.9% and 34.2% respectively. Cross analysis showed that academic-related and laboratory or clinical related reasons were significantly associated with the depressive symptoms [(X2= 15.86, p<0.0001) and (X2= 10.45, p=0.001) respectively] and stress symptoms [(X2= 19.95, p<0.0001) and (X2= 6.11, p<0.05) respectively] among dental student. Furthermore, the item ‘examination’ being the highest factor chosen in academic-related stressors. The response for stress-relieving factors was high for Islamic ritual prayer/spiritual activities (94.6%), sleeping (86.5%) and doing exercise/playing sports (76.1%), while ‘seeking professional help’ (19.8%) was the least. Conclusion: This study shows that depressive, anxiety and stress symptoms are prevalent among dental students. Islamic ritual prayer and involvement in spiritual related activities was found to be the most preferred way for students to relief stress. Hence, it is vital that the university continually evaluates the psychological health of the students, tailor preventive measures and spiritual related programs to help students to cope with stress.