Medical education is considered as a very significant strategy ensuring good quality in academics and health care. Currently, medical education across the world has been experiencing a major obstruction as a consequence of the novel coronavirus disease pandemic. At the same time, the rapid use of emergent technologies to maintain effective teaching and learning has become an essential component for transformative changes and the future of medical education. In this paper, we discuss the role of e-learning in medical education by outlining its components, effectiveness, barriers, all the pros and cons and future of implementation of such technology. The intention of this article is to inform all medical educators and students across the world on how the technological changes even after the pandemic can have a positive impact on medical education.

Introduction: Tooth loss causes impairment, functional limitation, physical, psychological, and social disability.  Hence, the study of pattern of tooth loss can provide a rough information about the frequency, cause and magnitude of oral problems, its sequelae that eventually can act as mirror image of prosthodontic treatment needs.  Objectives: To assess the prevalence of partial edentulism and its etiology, to determine its association with sociodemographic parameters, and to find out the motivational factor/s for replacement in willing patients. Methods: Total 417 patients with partial edentulism were examined intraorally on the basis of Kennedy’s classification with Applegate’s modification. The descriptive analysis was done using frequency distribution. Pearson Chi-square analysis test was used to determine the association between demographic variables and type of tooth loss where p-value ≤0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Partial edentulism was more prevalent in mandibular arch (41.7%) followed by both arches (30.9%). Kennedy’s Class III was the commonest and Kennedy’s class III modification 1 was second most common type of partial edentulism. Age and educational status had statistically significant association while gender had no association with various classes of partial edentulism. Dental caries (62.8%) followed by periodontitis (25.9%) were the major causes of tooth loss. Functional demand (46.8%) was the key motivational factor for the replacement among those who were willing (78.4%). Conclusions: This study can help in assessing the epidemiological features of partial edentulism of one community in a more classified form and can help gather information necessary to assess the treatment needs.

Introduction: The mucogingival junction is considered one of the vital anatomic structures that mark the apical termination of the attached gingiva. However, due to various pathologies and conditions, it can be undetectable. This study aimed to assess the distribution of patients having teeth without clinically detectable mucogingival junction in mandibular anteriors. Various etiologies leading to clinically undetectable mucogingival junction were also identified. Methods: This cross-sectional study involved 312 patients who visited the department of Periodontics of Gandaki Medical College Teaching Hospital and Research Center, Pokhara from July 26 to November 26, 2022. The visual method, rolling probe method, tension test and histochemical staining were used to detect the mucogingival junction. To ascertain the relationship between age and gender with the distribution of data, descriptive analysis and the Pearson Chi-square test was used. A p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The majority of the patients 242(77.6%), had clinically detectable mucogingival junction, whereas the remaining 70(22.4%) didn’t show its absence. Gingival recession, keratosis, deep pockets, and aberrant frenal attachment were all common etiologic factors for clinically undetectable mucogingival junction. Statistically significant number of male patients from age group above 45 years presented with clinically undetectable mucogingival junction. Conclusions: Nearly one-third of the study population presented with clinically undetectable mucogingival junction, which provides baseline data to determine the periodontal health of the study population and can represent as one of the significant diagnostic clues.

Introduction: COVID-19 has adversely gridlocked many sectors including dentistry. A good knowledge regarding the disease eventually determines the preparedness of dentists to provide relatively safe dental services. Objectives: This research was conducted to evaluate knowledge and relevant practice modifications among dental practitioners of Nepal during COVID-19 pandemic. Methodology: A cross-sectional online questionnaire survey was conducted among dental practitioners of all the provinces of Nepal. They were enquired for sociodemographic details and their knowledge, and the modifications they adopted while practising dentistry during this pandemic. The scores were summed up, and mean scores for knowledge and practice were calculated respectively which were further expressed as a percentage. Inferential statistics (Independent t-test and ANOVA, p < 0.05) were used to examine differences between study variables. Results: Out of 422 participants, most of them belonged to 31-40 years age group (178, 42.2%) and majority were females (246, 58.3%). Mean knowledge scores were significantly higher among practitioners of age ≥51 years, males, specialists, those working in both clinic and hospital, and those who have been practising dentistry for ≥10 years.  Mean practice scores were significantly better among specialists. Conclusion: The overall mean scores for knowledge was good (81.3%) while for practice, overall mean score was poor (44.6%). The main reason behind the poor practice modifications despite good knowledge score could be the lack of minimum requirements for infection control in developing countries like Nepal.

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