Objectives: To determine the preferred learning styles of Dental students and Dentists among various dental colleges using the VARK questionnaire. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: Various Dental Colleges in Karachi & Rawalpindi using the VARK questionnaire. Period: From June 2018 to February 2019. Material & Methods: Students, house-officers and demonstrators of dental medical college and hospital were asked to fill the VARK questionnaire which consists of 16 items. Four modes of learning either uni modal, bimodal or trimodal could be identified. The four modes include: visual, aural, reading, kinesthic. Results: Kinesthetic mode of learning was used by 24.5% individuals. Aural mode of learning was used by 25.3% individuals. Visual mode of learning was used by 15.5% individuals. Learning by reading was used by 17.7% individuals. Learning by using all modes was used by 1.5% individuals. Conclusion: Identifying the effective modes of learning is the first step towards changing the teaching strategy. Training in medicine and dentistry require innovative teaching ideas incorporating all modes for efficient learning of doctors.

Objective: To compare post obturation endodontic flare-ups following single and multiple visit root canal treatment. Study Design: Quasi experimental study. Setting Operative dentistry department, DOW university hospital Karachi. Period: 2nd October 2017 to 2nd April 2018. Material & Methods: A total of 100 patients of permanent exposed anterior teeth with positive pup response / vital, either gender were included. Patients divided into two groups according to single and multiple visit root canal treatment. At each post obturation recall visit the patients were interviewed and inspected to determine whether or not there are symptoms. Results: A total of 100 patients came for root canal treatment. At 1st post obturation day, out of 50 patients treated in one visit, four experienced a flare-up (8%). Out of 50 patients treated in two visits, eight experienced a flare-up (16%) (P-value=0.12). At 3rd post obturation day, out of 50 patients treated in one visit, three experienced a flare-up (6%). Out of 50 patients treated in two visits, five experienced a flare-up (10%) (P-value=0.37). Conclusion: We conclude that almost same results for single and multiple visit endodontics were achieved not statistically significant.

Objective: Study is to assess knowledge about corona among private dental practitioners in Karachi.      Study Design: Prospective cross sectional study. Materials & Methods:  This study is a cross-sectional study conducted during the time period of May, 2020 to Sept, 2020 in Karachi. The online questionnaire was divided into 2 sections, the first one included a biodata section including years of practice and clinic area. The second section comprised of knowledge regarding disinfection techniques against COVID-19 and modes of transmission of COVID-19. There were 10 multiple choice questions to assess the presence of SARS-CoV-2 on different surfaces found in the clinic. Effectiveness of various disinfectants and hand sanitizers was asked and the viability of SARS-CoV-2 on steel surfaces, tissue papers, glass and plastic material. Results: As our study focuses only private dental practitioners, we contacted them through emails and questionnaires were sent. Responses were received by 125 dentists and 20 dentists did not provide with completely filled questionnaire. Among total of 145 dentists, 67.2% (n=84) were males and 32.8% (n=41) were female practitioners. Amongst 125 dentists, 58.4% (n=73) had adequate knowledge regarding disinfection, viability of virus on different surfaces and proper protective equipment. 33 dentists scored total of 6 out of 10 with only 19 dentists having score of <6.  Conclusion: The global pandemic of 2019 has led to drastic changes in healthcare setups and way of providing healthcare services. In this study we found that around 60% of dentists have adequate knowledge about disinfection and modes of transmission of COVID-19. Private dental practitioners need to take adequate protective measures and disinfection techniques to prevent transmission.

With the current push towards using fewer antipsychotics and more non-pharmacological interventions in long-term care, it has become increasingly important for knowledge and best-practice sharing across the province. The “Good Ideas” project began in 2001 in the context of my work as a Royal Ottawa geriatric psychiatry behavioural support outreach nurse to long-term-care facilities in Ottawa. A toolkit was begun as various ideas and tools were found to be useful in the management of behavioural challenges in the care of long term care residents. These non-pharmacological tools can have a significant impact on the management of behavioural challenges. Some were discovered via “out-of-the-box” thinking, some as a result of exploring possibilities on the Web, others were shared with me by colleagues in various roles and settings. I have worked in geriatric psychiatry in various capacities as a nurse at The Royal Ottawa Health Care Group since 1986, and have had the opportunity to accumulate several “good ideas” over time. I found myself carrying various articles, pamphlets, booklets, photos in my workbag and noticed I was being contacted more frequently over time on how to obtain certain items. When these non-pharmacological approaches were implemented, and successful, a common response would be: “what a good idea!” Thus, the name given to the project came to be. Good Ideas has grown over the years as the information has been shared with outreach team members and utilized in their own practice. All contacts are encouraged to share any new “good ideas” they encounter so those too can be added. Originally a hardcopy handout with a list and the resources to outsource items was created and distributed. This evolved into a PowerPoint presentation explaining the usefulness of each tool in specific target behaviours and how to obtain the tool, as well as photos. Later a poster was made and a second version was produced more recently. Currently the project is in the process of being translated to French for our bilingual Ottawa area. The project has circulated among my teammates to be used in education sessions in their long-term-care facilities or as an adjunct to larger full day education sessions on the topic of dementia care. A large colorful hatbox also contains some sample items to add to the hard copies. Good Ideas has been presented at the Regional Geriatric Program Annual Meeting poster presentation Oct 12, 2013, with very positive feedback from participants. Good Ideas is a project in perpetuity, with no stop date planned. It is my hope it will continue to grow long after my retirement date. It promotes the concept of creative thinking about behavioural challenges in dementia care, while supporting that pharmacological intervention should most often be as a last resort.

Background/Aim: After the rapid spread of the COVID 19 when it first started in December 2019, the omicron wave of the infection started to rise again in November 2021. During this time Centers for Disease Control and Prevention came up with a comprehensive plan in place which allowed dentists to treat patients safely. Due to the fear of contraction of the virus and its easy transmissibility, it begs to reason that dental practitioners should modify the clinical practice to ensure optimal cross infection control. Methods: Our sample size consisted of 290 respondents from all over Pakistan, all of whom were dental practitioners using a standardized questionnaire. The data were analyzed using SPSS V.23. Frequencies were calculated & the Mann-Whitney u-test of significance was applied to the responses. Results: It was seen that out of the 290 respondents, 79% of the total respondents were anxious about treating patients with suspicious signs and symptoms of COVID-19 and 81% of the respondents were afraid of carrying the infection back to their families. On the other hand, only 49% of the respondents said that they use N95 respirators while treating patients, 28% of the respondents said that they were using rubber dams for aerosol-generating procedures and 49% said that they would perform 4 to 6 handed dentistry. Conclusion: There was a lack of adherence to the CDC proposed guidelines by the majority of the respondents despite having fear regarding the transmissibility of the disease. Keywords: Omicron wave, dental practice modifications, fear of COVID-19