Firas Alsoleihat

Numerous studies have investigated the relationship between autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and the use of Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART). However, the results have been inconclusive. This review aims to explore this association via the meta-analysis of existing studies. PubMed, Web of Knowledge, SCOPUS, and Embase databases were searched up to December 2023. Risk ratios (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using random or fixed effect models to explore the association between ART and ASD. A total of 20 records of cohort and case–control studies were analyzed and diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) published between 2013 and 2023. Children between the ages of 2–12 years were included in these studies via a census method. The results of the studies revealed a significant correlation between ART and ASD (RR = 1.43, 95% CI: 1.13–1.71, p = 0.006). Some subgroups revealed statistically significant relationships based on study location, design, and quality. The results suggest that using assisted reproductive technology elevates the susceptibility of children to develop ASD, but more large-scale and prospective studies are required to corroborate this conclusion, particularly in light of the divergent outcomes of some reviewed studies.

Despite that, the odontoblasts of the dental pulp are considered a terminally differentiated type of cell. We were interested in investigating if they express any embryonic, mesenchymal, or neural stem cell markers, along with other differentiation markers they were reported to express previously. Methods: An immunohistochemistry study was performed on wisdom teeth extracted from healthy donors aged between 17 and 19 for dental reasons. Nine markers were tested: c-Myc, SOX2, MCAM, CD73, NCAM1, STRO1, osteocalcin, S100, and Thy1. Results: Odontoblasts expressed the following markers: embryonic stem cell markers SOX2, c-Myc, mesenchymal stem cell marker MCAM, the neural differentiation marker S100, and the osteogenic differentiation marker osteocalcin. Odontoblasts did not express the following markers: mesenchymal stem cell markers CD73, STRO1, Thy1, and neural stem cell marker NCAM1. Conclusion: These findings suggest that odontoblasts' expression of these stem cell markers may enable them to dedifferentiate under certain conditions. Further investigation is needed into whether dental materials could induce such dedifferentiation for functional dentin regeneration.

Background. Evaluating the level of dental students competence is crucial for validating their preparedness for graduation. Confidence has a significant role in achieving competence. There are limited studies that assess the level of self-perceived confidence among final-year dental students regarding their ability to conduct key dental procedures. This study aims to assess the self-perceived confidence level of final-year dental students in performing essential dental procedures across various dental disciplines and to assess the effect of implementing competencies in the curriculum on the self-perceived confidence level of students by comparing two cohorts of final-year students in two different years 2016 (Traditional Cohort) and 2019 (Competencies Cohort). Materials and Methods. An questionnaire was answered by two cohorts of final-year dental students: one group in 2016 before the implementation of the competency-based assessment system (group 1, n153), and the other in 2019 after the implementation of this system (group 2, n199), the same questionnaire was used for both cohorts. The results from the two groups were compared regarding the degree of self-perceived confidence in conducting key dental procedures. The data were analysed using SPSS statistics and Levenes Test for Equality of Variances and t-test for Equality of Means calculated. Results. Group 1 showed a significantly higher means of self-perceived confidence levels than group 2 in the ability to conduct seven out of the 20 prosthodontics procedures studied: providing patients with CobaltChromium (CoCr) removable partial dentures (RPD) (3.77 vs. 3.56), providing the patient with Acrylic RPD (3.70 vs. 3.23), treatment planning for partially edentulous patients (3.83 vs. 3.34), giving OHIs for denture patients (4.17 vs. 3.95), dealing with CD postinsertion complaints (3.97 vs. 3.76), giving postinsertion instructions for removable prostheses cases (4.12 vs. 3.82), and providing patients with immediate dentures (2.67 vs. 2.32). The same applies to 6 out of 16 conservative dentistry procedures: placing anterior composite (4.41 vs. 4.12), placing posterior composite (4.43 vs. 3.88), placing posterior amalgam (4.29 vs. 4.02), placing matrix band for Class II restorations (4.24 vs. 3.71), placing a prefabricated post (3.34 vs. 2.88), and placing fiber post (3.45 vs. 3.34). On the other hand, group 2 shows higher means of self-perceived confidence than group 1 in only two conservative dentistry procedures: onlay restorations (2.18 vs. 2.76) and inlay restorations (2.22 vs. 2.75). No significant differences in means of self-perceived confidence were found between the two groups in the remaining 21 procedures studied. Conclusions. This study has shown that final-year dental students have high self-perceived confidence levels in doing simple dental procedures yet less confidence in more complex ones. Although, students self-perceived confidence decreases after the introduction of a competency-based assessment system. Competency implementation and execution criteria may differ between schools which may have an impact on final outcomes. Hence, there is a need for regular evaluation of competencies being assessed to maintain a curriculum that is up to date.

Introduction: To assess patients' satisfaction with the dental care provided to them by the undergraduate students at Jordan University Hospital. In addition, to investigate whether the age or gender of patients had any correlation with the level of satisfaction.Materials and Methods: The Dental Satisfaction Questionnaire (DSQ) developed by the RAND Corporation was used to measure patient satisfaction. The questionnaire was translated to Arabic the native language of the country and it consisted of 14 questions, which measure the overall satisfaction and the subscales of access, convenience and availability, continuity of treatment and quality of dental care provided.Results: A total of 94 patients (58.5% female, 41.5% male) answered the DSQ, the Overall Dental Satisfaction Index (DSI) was found to be 86.2%, and there was no correlation between gender or age groups and the DSI (p < .05). All 14 questions scored above 4/5 except the question about whether the schools' building and dental units being modern and well equipped (3.7/5), and the general satisfaction question (3.2/5).Conclusions: Patients who were treated at the student clinics at the University of Jordan, School of Dentistry were found to be satisfied about both the quality of treatment and the dental environment, while reporting some negative aspects related mainly to the clinics building which they found to be very old and crowded. This study found no correlation between patients' satisfaction and the age or gender of the participants.

Background: There are limited studies that assess the level of confidence among the final year dental students in the ability to conduct key dental procedures. The present study aims to assess the perception and confidence level of final year dental students ‎from the School of Dentistry at the University of Jordan to perform essential dental procedures ‎across various dental disciplines; to assess the effect of competencies implementation in curricula on the confidence level of students. Methods: An electronic questionnaire was answered by two cohorts of final year dental students: one group in 2016 before the implementation of the competency-based assessment system (group 1, n = 153), and the other in 2019 after the implementation of this system (group 2, n = 199). The two groups were compared regarding the degree of confidence in conducting key dental procedures. The data were analysed using SPSS statistics. Statistical significance was set at 0.05 level.Results: Statistically significant differences between the two groups regarding the confidence levels were found in 5 out of 20 prosthodontic procedures (placing treatment plan of removable partial dentures, using semi-adjustable articulator, giving oral hygiene instructions (OHIs) for denture patients, dealing with complete denture post-insertion complaints, and giving OHIs for denture patients); and in 5 out of 20 conservative Dentistry procedures (placing treatment plan of removable partial dentures (RPD), using semi-adjustable articulator, giving OHI's for Denture Patients, dealing with complete denture (CD) post-insertion complaints and giving OHI's for Denture patients). These differences were in favor of grope 2.Conclusion: This study has shown that final year dental students generally have high confidence levels in doing simple dental procedures and less confidence in more complex ones, thus additional focus on such complex procedures is advised during post-graduation training and before entitlement for practice licensing. Competency-based dental education is an advantageous over classical dental training systems, and thus should be maintained and continuously enhanced.

BackgroundThe aim of the present study was to assess the psychological impact and awareness of the spread of coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) in Jordan among dental students at the University of Jordan, as well as assessing student attitudes toward dental learning during the lockdown period imposed by the government.MethodsThis study was conducted using a questionnaire that was electronically distributed to the largest possible number of Year 3, 4 and 5 dental students. 271 students participated in the survey (Year 3, n = 89, Year 4, n = 94, and Year 5, n = 88), with a response rate of 40.39%.ResultsResults indicated considerable psychological impact on dental students during the spread of the COVID-19 virus in Jordan, with a high degree of awareness among the students about COVID-19. Furthermore, there was positive feedback about the online learning experience of theoretical subjects but less so for practical and/or clinical subjects with a great deal of reluctance to resume their regular study, especially attendance of dental patient clinics.ConclusionResults of this study highlight the need for launching more awareness programs to reassure the dental students and to restore their confidence in the complete protective ability of the recommended precautions against the contraction of the disease.

Age-at-death estimation is an essential part of the identification process of individuals in many forensic dentistry cases where identity of the individual cannot be resolved by visual recognition or other means. Dental age estimation in adults is more of a challenge as most teeth complete their development by the age of 18 years. This study aims at using the mesio-distal (MD) pulp-to-tooth ratio taken at the cervix of upper third molars (UM3) to estimate age at the time of radiographic imaging. A set of 135 Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) radiographs of UM3s for a random sample of 135 Jordanian adults (65 females, 70 males; age range = 18–63 years, mean age = 34.4 years, SD = 11.2 years) were used. Both pulp and tooth MD diameters were measured at the cervix. MD pulp-to-tooth ratios for UM3s were correlated with age. Statistically significant negative moderate correlation was found between the age of the individual and the cervix MD pulp/tooth ratio (r = −0.516). This indicates that only 26.6% of the variation in age can be explained by the cervix MD pulp-to-tooth ratio. This study concludes that cervix MD pulp-to-tooth ratio of UM3s, although apparently stronger than that of lower M3s (r = −0.361), is not a sufficiently reliable estimator of age in adults, and this is perhaps attributed to the greater variability in the time line of third molars development.

Excessive fluoride intake during tooth development causes dental fluorosis. This study aimed to (1) determine the prevalence of dental fluorosis in association with fluoride concentrations in drinking water, (2) explore the effects of altitude on the severity of fluorosis in two towns with high fluoride levels in the drinking water, and (3) assess decayed, missing, and filled teeth (DMFT) and oral hygiene practices among participants. The sample consisted of 100 and 141 schoolchildren, aged 15.3 ± 1.4 and 16.1 ± 1.3 years, living in Ruwaished and Kuraymah, respectively. Oral examinations were carried out, and dental fluorosis was assessed using the Dean’s index. The DMFT index was also used for assessment. Samples of drinking water were analyzed using a fluoride-ion selective electrode. SPSS was used to analyze the data. Two-thirds (68.8%) of adults from Kuraymah had moderate to severe fluorosis, with only 7% being unaffected. In Ruwaished, 50% of the sample had severe fluorosis, 22% showed moderate fluorosis, and none were unaffected. The average DMFT scores were 3.18 ± 1.81 and 3.81 ± 1.41 for Kuraymah and Ruwaished, respectively. In both towns, males had significantly higher caries scores than females. Oral hygiene was poor, as 64% and 57% of the participants from Kuraymah and Ruwaished, respectively, did not brush their teeth. A significant correlation was found between poor oral hygiene and increased DMFT scores. This study concluded that higher fluorosis incidence and severity were present in the higher-altitude location (Ruwaished). Moreover, this study also indicated that fluorosed teeth are not immune to caries, and the preventive management of dental fluorosis should be directed to de-fluoridation of drinking water in endemic areas.