Katayoun Katebi

Cognitive Ergonomics: Addressing Decision Fatigue in Dentistry

This systematic review aimed to investigate the effect of different blood decontamination methods on dentin bond strength across various adhesive systems. This systematic review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA 2020 guidelines and registered in PROSPERO (CRD42022381287). A comprehensive electronic search of Medline/PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Embase was performed up to February 26, 2026. In vitro studies evaluating the effect of blood decontamination methods on dentin bond strength were included. Risk of bias was assessed using the QUIN tool. A qualitative synthesis was conducted. by stratifying the results based on decontamination method and adhesive systems. Fifteen in vitro studies comprising 1,015 teeth met the inclusion criteria. Eleven studies had low risk of bias, while four demonstrated a moderate risk of bias. Blood contamination consistently reduces dentin bond strength across adhesive systems with the most severe effects occurring when contamination happens after polymerization. Some approaches, such as adhesive reapplication and phosphoric acid re-etching in etch-and-rinse systems, as well as sodium hypochlorite combined with antioxidants, show the most promising results. Blood contamination reduces bond strength to dentin. Although various decontamination methods can partially improve bonding, full recovery to uncontaminated levels is not reliably achieved. The effectiveness of decontamination strategies varied according to adhesive type, contamination timing (before or after adhesive curing), and decontamination protocol.

Oral lichen planus is a chronic disease of the oral mucosa, with pain as one of its main symptoms. This study aimed to assess the correlation between the results of four pain intensity measures-including the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), Short Form McGill Pain Questionnaire (SF-MPQ), and Verbal Rating Scale (VRS)- in a population of patients diagnosed with oral lichen planus. In this prospective observational study, 66 patients with oral lichen planus participated. Four pain assessment scales were used, including VAS, NRS, VRS, and SF-MPQ. Participants completed these assessments at baseline and again after two weeks of treatment. A paired t-test, Spearman correlation, linear regression analysis, and adjusted multiple regression analysis (regarding age and level of education) were used to analyze the data. All four scales were sensitive to changes in pain after treatment and a significant reduction in pain scores was observed (p < 0.001). There was a strong positive correlation between all scales (p < 0.001). Regression analysis showed that scores on each scale could significantly predict scores on the other scales (p < 0.001). Multiple regression analysis adjusted for age and level of education, showed the correlations between the pain scales remained strong and significant (p < 0.001). These commonly used pain assessment scales showed strong correlation with each other, and it seems that the results obtained from each might be comparable with the others. However, further researches in larger studies and different populations are needed.

The implication gap: Why evidence-based dental guidelines fall short in clinical settings

Introduction Self-directed learning involves identifying needs, choosing strategies, and setting goals. Emotional intelligence relates to this process by boosting learners’ confidence and ability to learn independently in challenging situations. This study evaluates emotional intelligence in Tabriz dentistry students and explores its relationship with self-directed learning. Method This cross-sectional study was conducted on 98 dentistry students in basic science and clinical phases, and the Bar-On questionnaire for emotional intelligence and the self-directed learning questionnaire were used. The relationship between emotional intelligence and self-directed learning and its components was analyzed using an independent t-test. The effects of the sub-components of emotional intelligence on self-directed learning were examined through simultaneous regression across two educational levels: basic and clinical sciences. SPSS 19 was used, with statistical significance set at 0.05. Results The mean emotional intelligence was 70.44 ± 6.75 for basic science students and 73.05 ± 8.43 for clinical students, with no significant difference (p = 0.094). Interpersonal skills (p < 0.001) and adaptability (p = 0.048) were significantly higher in clinical students. Self-directed learning scores were 75.85 ± 7.96 for basic science and 74.30 ± 9.43 for clinical students, with no significant difference (p = 0.382). Planning skills (p = 0.001) and communication (p = 0.010) were significantly higher in basic science students. Conclusion Emotional intelligence among students in basic sciences and clinical courses showed no differences. However, intrapersonal skills and adaptability were notably higher in the clinical group. Self-directed learning did not differ between groups, although planning skills and communication were better in basic sciences. A relationship was found between emotional intelligence and academic performance in the clinical group but not in basic sciences.

Given the importance of aligning assessments with curriculum standards and the necessity for valid, structured, and standardized multiple-choice tests, this study aimed to conduct a quantitative and qualitative analysis of MCQ exams within the basic medical sciences departments at the Faculty of Medicine of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences in 2023. This descriptive-analytical study was conducted to quantitatively and qualitatively analyze all tests administered in the basic medical sciences groups at Tabriz University of Medical Sciences during the first semester of the 2023 academic year. The core basic courses evaluated in this study included Anatomical Sciences, Physiology, Microbiology & Parasitology, Immunology, Medical Physics, Biochemistry, and Genetics. The questions' Facility Value, discrimination index, and each exam’s internal consistency (by KR20) were evaluated. Qualitative assessments of the tests were conducted to assess content validity, and reliability, ensuring alignment with the educational objectives of basic medical sciences. Overall analysis revealed that 404 (50%) questions were appropriately difficult. The effectiveness of distractors was commendable, with only 1.8% being classified as non-functional. Of 810 questions, only 1.2% had a negative discrimination index, while 559(69%) showed a good discrimination index. Validity analysis revealed that 96.6% of the curriculum content was adequately covered in the exams based on the blueprints. All of the questions assessed recall level of cognition. This analysis showed that most questions were functioning effectively. However, a subset could benefit from refinement to enhance their clarity and effectiveness in assessment.

Introduction: Candida biofilm on resin base dentures is a common problem among denture wearers, leading to denture stomatitis and associated complications. Cold plasma treatment has been proposed as a novel and promising approach to eradicate Candida biofilm. This systematic review aims to evaluate the effectiveness of cold plasma treatment for Candida biofilm on resin base dentures. Methods: This systematic review study was conducted following PRISMA guidelines. The main objective was to investigate whether cold plasma treatment could reduce the number of Candida cells in dentures compared to other disinfection methods or controls. In September 2024, an electronic search was performed without any limitation on the publication start date in PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar, Embase, and Scopus databases. English in vitro studies, focusing on acrylic denture bases using cold plasma treatment as the intervention, were included. The selected articles were assessed using the QUIN risk-of-bias tool for in vitro studies conducted in dentistry. Results: Initially, 259 papers were identified, and 164 remained after removing duplicates. Following the screening of titles and abstracts, 21 papers remained. Ten articles were not related to dentures, and 11 studies were included. All of these articles demonstrated a medium risk of bias and were case-control in vitro studies. The evidence currently available suggests that cold plasma exhibits antimicrobial efficacy against denture candidiasis; however, its application is not without limitations. Conclusion: Based on the findings of in vitro studies, cold plasma shows promise as an effective tool for disinfecting dentures. Notably, significant reductions in the Candida cell count can be achieved within a reasonable treatment duration, although the existing data present variable results.

Background. Desquamative gingivitis is an immunological chronic disease that is considered precancerous and has the potential to develop into squamous cell carcinoma. Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), a common tumor marker, increases in many cancers. The present study compared salivary CEA levels in desquamative gingivitis before and after topical corticosteroid therapy. Methods. This case‒control study was conducted in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Medicine, Tabriz Faculty of Dentistry. Twenty patients with desquamative gingivitis in oral lichen planus (OLP) background were selected as the case group, with 20 healthy individuals as the control group. Desquamative gingivitis lesions were confirmed with biopsies. Salivary samples were obtained from both groups. Second, salivary samples were collected from the case group after a course of topical corticosteroid therapy. Salivary CEA levels were measured by a monobind kit using the ELISA method. Independent and paired t-tests were used to analyze the data in SPSS 17. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results. Before treatment, CEA levels were significantly higher in the case group (174.06±95.55) than in the control group (55.66±41.26 ng/mL) (P<0.001). Salivary CEA levels in the case group decreased significantly after the treatment (96.77±66.25 ng/mL) compared to before treatment (174.06±95.55 ng/mL) (P<0.001). Conclusion. This study demonstrated that CEA levels significantly decreased in patients with desquamative gingivitis associated with oral lichenoid reaction after receiving topical corticosteroid therapy.

Objectives: The excision of an inflamed operculum can be achieved using a conventional surgical knife (scalpel) or laser. In the current systematic review and meta-analysis, the pain and healing outcomes resulting from these two distinct operculectomy techniques were compared at various follow-up intervals. Methods: A comprehensive electronic search was conducted for studies published in English up to September 2023, focusing on the outcomes of operculectomy procedures using scalpel and laser techniques. The search encompassed PubMed/Medline, Web of Science, Google Scholar, Embase, Cochrane, and Scopus databases. The risk of bias was assessed with Cochrane risk-of-bias tool 2. Stata 17 software was used to perform a meta-analysis. Results: Seven studies were included, involving a total of 170 patients. The analysis revealed that there were no statistically significant differences in pain levels between the two groups on the second day (P = 0.07) and seventh day (P=0.10) follow-ups. Similarly, the healing index showed no significant variance between the two groups on the seventh day (P=0.34) and 14th day (P = 0.39) follow-ups. Conclusions: The meta-analysis indicated that there was no statistically significant difference in pain and healing outcomes resulting from operculectomy using a scalpel versus a diode laser. Nonetheless, further randomized clinical trials with larger sample sizes are required to establish definitive results. Systematic Review Registration: PROSPERO (CRD42022327014).