Background: This study aimed to assess the current awareness and practices of resin composite light curing of general dental practitioners (GDP) in Saudi Arabia. Methods: A population of 250 general dentists appointed in non-university governmental hospitals in five main cities in Saudi Arabia was targeted with a sample size of 152 at 95% power. 250 email invitations were sent individually to join the survey voluntarily and anonymously. Descriptive statistics and Chi-square test were used to analyze the obtained responses. Results: 156 responses were received. Chi-square test showed no statistical significance in participants satisfaction of their employed light curing technique regardless of the curing unit they use. Participants vary regarding their awareness of the significance and criteria of proper light curing and resin composite material related factors. Conclusion: There is no uniform light curing technique followed by dentists. Dentists need to improve their knowledge and clinical skills of light curing resin composite.

Introduction: This study aimed to assess the current awareness and practices of resin composite light curing of general dental practitioners (GDPs) in Saudi Arabia and to set several evidence-based recommendations to improve the quality of the outcome of concern. Methods: An online questionnaire was created. Two hundred and fifty email invitations were sent to GDPs appointed in general governmental hospitals in five main cities in Saudi Arabia to join the survey voluntarily and anonymously. The survey consisted of 24 questions classified into the following domains: 1-Demographic criteria 2- frequency and technical aspects of resin composites application 3- criteria of the currently used light curing units and curing light. Descriptive statistics and chi-square test were used to analyse the obtained responses. Results: One hundred and fifty-six responses were received. A significant number of GDPs are significantly satisfied with the quality of their light curing, not aware of the thermal hazards of light curing, and do not check power output of their LCUs (light curing units) (P<0.05). An insignificant number of respondents use eye shields for eye protection during light curing. Conclusion: There was no uniform light curing protocol followed by respondent GDPs. GDPs in Saudi Arabia should improve their knowledge and clinical skills of light-curing resin composite.

In this study, we evaluate the surface roughness (SR) of three thermally treated nickel-titanium rotary instruments (i.e., TruNatomy [TN], ProTaper Gold [PTG], and EdgeTaper Platinum [ETP]) after impact testing with multiple autoclave sterilization cycles using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Overall, 60 thermally treated files were sourced (i.e., 20 TN, 20 ETP, and 20 PTG files), and each group was divided into four equal subgroups of five files (n = 5). An unsterilized group was assigned as the pre-autoclaving group (Cycle 0), and the other three groups underwent various autoclave sterilization cycles (Cycles 1, 5, and 10). The roughness average (Ra), root mean square (Rq), and average maximum peak-to-valley height (Rz) values were evaluated using SEM and ImageJ software. The Shapiro–Wilk test, one-way analysis of variance, and post-hoc Tukey test were used to analyze the data. The statistical significance level was set at p < 0.05 . Before autoclaving, all instruments showed debris and SR but with no statistically significant differences existing between the groups. SR values decreased after one autoclaving cycle for all instruments. After five autoclave cycles, the Rz value of ETP was statistically higher compared with PTG and TN. After 10 autoclave cycles, the Ra and Rq values of TN were statistically higher compared with ETP and PTG. These results suggest that multiple autoclaving sterilization cycles influence the SR of TN, PTG, and ETP, with ETP showing higher levels of surface irregularities than PTG and TN.

Temporomandibular disorder (TMD) is a group of clinical troubles and is considered one of the major causes of non-dental pain. TMD is characterized by a wide range of signs and symptoms associated with TMJ and other related structures that negatively affect the Quality of life (QoL). This study investigated the public knowledge about TMD among people living in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's main cities and provinces. An electronic survey was designed, containing 16 questions in Arabic and English. The survey was distributed via email and other social media platforms. Six hundred and four participated in the survey; 18 participants were excluded from the study as they refused to sign the consent form. The participants' ages ranged from 18-65 years old, and 68% ranged from 18-30 years old. The knowledge score about TMD was out of 9; the participants were categorized into three groups; group 1 had a low knowledge level, scored 1-3, and their percentage was 38%. Group 2 had an intermediate level of knowledge; their score was 4-6, and their percentage was 46%. Group 3 had a high knowledge level, scored 7-9, and their percentage was 16%. 50.5% of participants answered that females are at greater risk of developing TMD, and 60% believed that children could also have it. 22.7% of participants voted for dentists as a qualified specialty to treat TMD, and 74.5% chose physicians. The present survey data revealed inadequate knowledge about TMD. Awareness programs might be necessary for improving public awareness.

BACKGROUND Habitual khat ( Catha edulis ) chewing has been proven to cause numerous oral tissue changes. However, oral melanoacanthoma triggered by chronic khat chewing is rare. Oral melanoacanthoma is an uncommon, sudden, asymptomatic, benign pigmentation of the oral cavity. Under the microscope, the epithelial layer of the oral mucosa showed dendritic melanocyte proliferation and acanthosis. The study aimed to highlight chronic khat chewing as a trigger for oral melanoacanthoma. CASE SUMMARY In the current study, we report a case of a 26-year-old male patient with a rare presentation of oral melanoacanthoma triggered by regular khat chewing. Many intrinsic and extrinsic factors can cause oral pigmentation. Chewing khat is an extrinsic factor that can cause several diseases, including oral pigmentation. In this case, the definitive diagnosis was oral melanoacanthoma. This diagnosis was made based on the patient’s history, clinical lesion presentation, and microscopic biopsy results. CONCLUSION Habitual khat ( Catha edulis ) chewing causes many oral tissue changes including oral melanoacanthoma. The study aimed to highlight chronic khat chewing as a trigger for oral melanoacanthoma.