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Background: Amalgam has been the gold standard for restorations in posterior teeth. Mercury, a major component of dental amalgam, is considered an environmental pollutant. The Minamata Convention on mercury dictates the reduction in the use of mercury-containing products. Since Pakistan is a signatory to the convention, the same amalgam phase-out limitations are implemented in Pakistan. Aim: To identify and assess the use of amalgam and its waste management by dentists in Pakistan post-Minamata Convention guidelines. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Lahore among 520 general dental practitioners in 2019. Results: The sample size for the study was calculated as 500; the questionnaire was distributed among 550 dentists. Dental amalgam was used by only 41.6% of the dentists in their practice; 55.0% perceived it to be a health risk. Most of the dentists (76.3%) were unaware of the proper disposal protocols for dental amalgam and 76.5% were unaware of any guidelines regarding amalgam use and disposal. Conclusion: Although there is gap in knowledge among the dentists when it comes to amalgam disposal, dentists in Pakistan are reducing their use of dental amalgam in accordance with the guidelines of the Minamata Convention.

… Introduction: Contemporary dentistry has shifted its paradigm from therapeutic to preventive. Dento-alveolar injuries are quiet frequently reported and sports remain as one of the major cause. In Pakistan contact sports like boxing, hockey, football etc are actively played at all levels. It is the need of the hour to prevent the dental and dento-alveolar injuries resulting from these. Literature suggests that mouthguard is the best option available. Aims and Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the level of awareness about mouthguards in final year students, PG trainees, and faculty of University College of Dentistry and private dental practitioners of Lahore. Also the results shall be utilized to assess the need of awareness programmes that can be of help to the dentist and help serve the community. Study Design: cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out. Setting: Study was carried out in University College of Dentistry and private practitioners of Lahore. Period: Study was carried out over a period of 6 months. Material and Methods: 87% responded to questionnaire distributed from a sample of 200. Results: Results show that the students had the least knowledge (63%) whereas 100% of the assistant professors and above had knowledge of mouthguard. general dentists and the senior faculty was the one with higher percentages which recommended mouthguards 53% and 80% respectively. Conclusion: Results lead to the conclusion that there is a need to improve the competency level of the dentists regarding mouthguards, their benefits, fabrication etc. so they can educate the patients, promote the use if mouthguards and limit the incidence of injuries. Further research projects need to be funded to highlight the importance of mouthguards and their use should be encouraged.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to reinforce the safety of non-surgical endodontic treatment in the management of acute dental pain of pulpal origin in pregnant patients in all trimesters. METHODOLOGY: The study was conducted amongst pregnant females with acute dental pain. Pain of endodontic origin in 273 pregnant patients was managed by performing non-surgical root canal treatment. Percentages were calculated as descriptive statistics to have a comparison of preferred treatment by dentists for acute pain management during pregnancy. One Way ANOVA was used to explore the difference between treatment selection plans. RESULTS: From the total sample of 273 participants, there was no significant difference found between the selection of endodontic treatment and Trimesters (F (2,270) = .79, p=.45) same results were obtained for the analgesics prescription during pregnancy and the trimesters during pregnancy (F (2,270) = 1.41, p=.24). On the other hand, the difference between the prescription of antibiotics during 1st, 2nd and 3rd trimesters was found which was statistically significant (F (2,270) = 12.38, p> .001). Endodontic treatment was completed on 251 (91.6%) pregnant patients to relieve the acute dental pain whereas only 22 (8.4%) patients did not undergo endodontic treatment in pregnancy. Among the cases who had endodontic treatment, 75.4% of cases were dealt with in the second trimester of pregnancy. The recommendation of antibiotics was less. In the entire data, antibiotic prescription was seen in the second trimester of pregnancy, whereas, overall, antibiotic prescription was at minimal level. Analgesic prescription was found to be (44.1%) in practice among pregnant participants during the treatment. CONCLUSION: Non-Surgical Endodontic Treatment is a safe and reliable treatment option for the management of restorable teeth with acute pain of pulpal origin in pregnant patients. Dentists should not be reluctant in prompt invasive dental management in these patients if indicated. KEYWORDS: pregnancy, pain, dental treatment, endodontic treatment HOW TO CITE: Khan SA, Hassan AU, Iqbal Z, Hassan M. Endodontic management of acute dental pain among pregnant patients. J Pak Dent Assoc 2021;30(1):7-11.

Introduction: Contemporary dentistry has shifted its paradigm from therapeuticto preventive. Dento-alveolar injuries are quiet frequently reported and sports remain as oneof the major cause. In Pakistan contact sports like boxing, hockey, football etc are activelyplayed at all levels. It is the need of the hour to prevent the dental and dento-alveolar injuriesresulting from these. Literature suggests that mouthguard is the best option available. Aimsand Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the level of awareness about mouthguardsin final year students, PG trainees, and faculty of University College of Dentistry and privatedental practitioners of Lahore. Also the results shall be utilized to assess the need of awarenessprogrammes that can be of help to the dentist and help serve the community. Study Design:cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out. Setting: Study was carried out in UniversityCollege of Dentistry and private practitioners of Lahore. Period: Study was carried out over aperiod of 6 months. Material and Methods: 87% responded to questionnaire distributed from asample of 200. Results: Results show that the students had the least knowledge (63%) whereas100% of the assistant professors and above had knowledge of mouthguard. general dentistsand the senior faculty was the one with higher percentages which recommended mouthguards53% and 80% respectively. Conclusion: Results lead to the conclusion that there is a need toimprove the competency level of the dentists regarding mouthguards, their benefits, fabricationetc. so they can educate the patients, promote the use if mouthguards and limit the incidence ofinjuries. Further research projects need to be funded to highlight the importance of mouthguardsand their use should be encouraged.