Background: Unlike in the past, caries nowadays, is stressed to be treated by employing preventive strategies. Though in many countries, treating caries by surgical intervention is reducing but surprisingly most dentists in Karachi, Pakistan continue to treat it by drilling and placing a restoration as primary measure. A question comes to one's mind is whether the graduating dentist from dental colleges in Karachi receive information and training to management caries using preventive strategies or not? This study therefore, was planned to assess the status of teaching about these preventive protocols. Clinical students of dental colleges were chosen as study subjects as they in few months' time become clinicians and practice what they have learnt in their colleges. Aims and Objectives: To assess the knowledge and practices of dental students regarding caries management and practices. Methods: A face and content validated and pretested questionnaire with close-ended questions was used as a study tool. 250 Clinical dental students studying in five dental colleges in Karachi were the study subjects. Results: 215 responses were received at a healthy response rate of 86 %. The most responding students have the knowledge about currently recommended caries preventive strategies but its clinical implementation is very low. Fissure sealing and fluoride applications are the only preventive measures followed by sizeable amount of the responders. Conclusion: Participants of this study despite having knowledge about preventive caries management don't practice it in their clinics. For its implementation, CRA based curricula should be introduced.

Implant dentistry has seen rapid progress in recent years leading to its application as standard treatment modalities. While selecting treatment plan, bone mapping and selection of implant is very essential for a successful implant practice. In case of an atrophic ridge where bone height is less, then selection of short implant could be a good treatment alternative, as it is a conservative treatment option because it prevents the need of sinus lift, alveolar nerve repositioning, and bone grafting. This article will discuss about how? when to use short implants along with their advantages, disadvantages of short implants in details.

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