Noor H. Ismail

Background: Vaping, argileh, and electronic cigarette (e‐cigarette) smoking are becoming popular among adolescents and conventional smokers. While the impact of conventional smoking on oral tissues is well‐established, the impact of other types of smoking on oral health is still unknown. This cross‐sectional study aimed to compare pro‐inflammatory cytokine levels, especially interleukin (IL)‐1β and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)‐8 in the gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) between nonsmokers and different types of smokers. The plaque index (PI), bleeding on probing (BOP), and probing depth (PD) were also examined. Methods: Demographic data were collected from 112 participants attending the Jordan University Hospital using a questionnaire. The groups included were nonsmokers and smokers of either cigarettes, argileh, vaping, or a combination of different types. Besides the basic clinical examination, pro‐inflammatory cytokine levels were measured using ELISA. Results: The mean PI was significantly lower in nonsmokers compared to the combination smoking group and to all smoking groups combined ( p < 0.05). BOP was significantly higher in argileh smokers compared to the vaping group. No statistically significant differences were observed in MMP‐8 and IL‐1β levels among the studied groups. Conclusions: Within the limitations of this study, smoking status was not associated with significant differences in GCF levels of IL‐1β and MMP‐8 among periodontally healthy and gingivitis participants. However, differences in BOP were observed between specific smoking groups, suggesting that smoking modality may influence clinical inflammatory presentation.

Background/Objectives: This study examined the association between energy drink consumption and self-reported bruxism behaviors and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain among young adults in Jordan. Methods: A cross-sectional, self-administered survey was distributed to young adults aged 18–30. After applying predefined exclusion criteria, the analytic sample for the TMD-related analyses comprised n = 1373 participants. The questionnaire captured demographics, frequency and duration of energy drink consumption, self-reported bruxism behaviours (clenching, grinding, bracing, thrusting), TMJ pain symptoms adapted from DC/TMD screening items, and psychological stress measured by the validated Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10). Questionnaire reliability was assessed in a pilot (n = 20) using Cohen’s Kappa. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests and multivariable logistic regression (adjusting for age, sex, smoking and stress) were used to evaluate associations. Results: Among participants, 309 (22.5%) reported daily energy drink use. Self-reported bruxism behaviors were present in 19.4% (n = 60) of consumers, with an additional 26.9% suspecting these behaviors. TMJ pain on awakening was reported by 41.1% (n = 127) of consumers. Energy drink consumption was significantly associated with higher odds of self-reported bruxism behaviors (χ² = 115.6, p < 0.001). In multivariable analyses, daily consumption remained independently associated with bruxism (adjusted OR 1.9; 95% CI 1.3–2.7; p = 0.001). Higher consumption frequency was also linked to an increased number of oral health symptoms. Conclusions: after adjusting for key confounders, energy drink consumption was associated with greater prevalence of self-reported bruxism behaviors and TMJ pain among young Jordanian adults. These findings emphasize the potential oral health risks of habitual energy drink use and underscore the need for targeted education and preventive strategies in this population.

To assess the quality of fixed prosthetic work provided by the undergraduate dental students at The University of Jordan Hospital after 3 years follow up, and its’ effect on patients’ satisfaction with the dental treatment provided. Patients who received fixed prosthetic work by the undergraduate dental students in the summer of 2021 were enrolled in the study and reviewed after 36 months. Some details were obtained over the phone and then followed by clinical examination of the prostheses using a modified United States Public Health Service Criteria (USPHSC). Patients’ satisfaction about the treatment they received 3 years ago was also investigated. Chi-square with Fisher’s exact test was used for the variables’ correlations. A total of 67 patients (38 female, 29 male) who received 69 fixed partial dentures (FPDs) and single crowns (SCs) were reviewed after 3 years. The total survival rate was 87%. The overall satisfaction rate was 84%. There was positive correlation between prosthesis survival and overall patient satisfaction with the treatment (P < 0.001). Main factors that negatively impacting patients’ satisfaction included the loss of abutment teeth (P = 0.001), having discomfort or pain (P = 0.002), being unsatisfied with the aesthetic of the prosthesis (P < 0.001), and the inability to masticate effectively with the prosthesis (P = 0.001). No significant correlation was observed between gender and patients’ satisfaction (P = 0.867). The fixed prosthetic work provided by the undergraduate dental students demonstrated survival rate, aesthetics, and functionality comparable to that of qualified dentists. This is reflected in high patient satisfaction. However, certain aspects were influenced by the students’ limited clinical experience and warrant closer attention and guidance from their supervisors. Not applicable.

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.

The aim of the present study is to evaluate the most common reasons for replacing posterior amalgam and resin composite restorations in patients attending the university dental restorative clinics. A total of 318 restorations which needed to be replaced were clinically and radiographically evaluated in a period of nine months. The frequencies of reasons for replacing posterior amalgam and resin composite restorations were calculated; secondary caries, restoration/tooth fracture, marginal discoloration/ditching, proximal overhang/open margin, loss of anatomy, pain/sensitivity, and esthetics. The sample population comprised of 191 females and 106 males. The majority of the sample population fell in the age group of 40–50 years (n = 110). 318 restorations (n = 318) were examined in this study. 82% of examined teeth were restored with amalgam (n = 261), while posterior composite restorations comprised 18% of the examined teeth (n = 57). Among all restorations demanded to be replaced by the patients (n = 318), aesthetic need was the most common reason (n = 98), followed by Ditching or discoloration (n = 64), secondary caries (n = 57), and fracture (n = 44). Loss of anatomy was the least common cause to replace both amalgam and resin composite restorations (n = 5). The different reasons of failure were all significant between amalgam and resin composite restorations as shown in (Fig. 1) (p < 0.005). The most common reason for amalgam replacement was aesthetic. The most common reason for composite replacement was secondary caries and marginal ditching. Both amalgam and composite had different reasons for replacement. Amalgam had lesser risk of developing secondary caries and higher longevity than composite.

Objectives: To assess patients' satisfaction with the dental care provided to them by the undergraduate students at Jordan University Hospital. 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 & 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 with the DSI (P<0.05). The lowest score (3.7/5) was given to the question about whether the school building and dental units being modern and well equipped. Conclusions: Patients who were treated at the student clinics at the University of Jordan, School of Dentistry were mostly satisfied about the treatment provided, the main cause for dissatisfaction was the clinics building that is very old and crowded, and the lack of modern dental units and equipment.