Syed Ali Peeran

Simple steps to avoid plagiarism and improve scientific writing.

Dear Sir, Plagiarism is defined by the Oxford dictionary as ‘the practice of taking someone else’s work or ideas and passing them off as one’s own’. Plagiarism can be defined simply as literary theft. Historically, it used to take place when one tried to steal other’s work to gain recognition. In the recent times, plagiarism includes literary theft or misappropriation of intellectual property and the substantial unattributed textual copying of another’s work. Plagiarism encompasses either plagiarizing from others or republishing substantial parts of one’s own work without citing the same, as separate new works. (Published: 25 July 2013) Citation: Libyan J Med 2013, 8 : 21825 - http://dx.doi.org/10.3402/ljm.v8i0.21825

Dental prosthetic status and treatment needs of adult population in Jizan, Saudi Arabia: A survey report

Objectives: The study aimed to evaluate and compare the dental prosthetic status and treatment needs of adult population in Jizan, Saudi Arabia, in relation to the age. Materials and Methods: A total of 1779 people aged 35–74 years from 4 survey areas (Hay al matar, Mahata khams, Dara ut tawhid, and Suq ad dakhili) selected through convenient sampling, around Jizan University, were surveyed, using the WHO survey criteria, 1997. Statistical Analysis: Number and percentages were calculated, and univariate analysis was performed using Chi-square test at 5% level of significance. Results: Different forms of prosthesis were present among patients in the upper (19.9%) and lower (19%) arches, respectively. Prosthetic treatment need was recognized in subjects, 56.4% for the upper and 57.2% for the lower arches, respectively. The prosthetic status and treatment needs differed statistically with respect to age. Conclusion: More than half of the surveyed adult populations were in need of some or the other forms of prosthesis. This study provides data for an oral health-care provider program for Jizan.

Oral health in Libya: addressing the future challenges

Libya is a vast country situated in North Africa, having a relatively better functioning economy with a scanty population. This article is the first known attempt to review the current state of oral health care in Libya and to explore the present trends and future challenges. Libyan health system, oral health care, and human resources with the present status of dental education are reviewed comprehensively. A bibliographic study of oral health research and publications has been carried out. The results point toward a common indicator that oral health–related research is low. Strategies have to be developed to educate the medical and dental professionals, to update the current curriculum and enable the system to be competent in all aspects of oral health care management.Libya is a vast country situated in North Africa, having a relatively better functioning economy with a scanty population. This article is the first known attempt to review the current state of oral health care in Libya and to explore the present trends and future challenges. Libyan health system, oral health care, and human resources with the present status of dental education are reviewed comprehensively. A bibliographic study of oral health research and publications has been carried out. The results point toward a common indicator that oral health-related research is low. Strategies have to be developed to educate the medical and dental professionals, to update the current curriculum and enable the system to be competent in all aspects of oral health care management.

Association between mental well-being, depression, and periodontal attachment level among young adults of the postwar Sebha city, Libya: A pilot study

Objectives: The present study was aimed to investigate the association of mental well-being and depression with periodontal clinical attachment loss among young adults in postwar urban population of Sebha city, Libya. Materials and Methods: Mental well-being and depression were assessed using Arabic versions of World Health Organization (WHO) five well-being index and major depression inventory (ICD-10), respectively. Random sample of 149 subjects were studied. Degree of periodontal attachment was measured at six sites per tooth using a rigid manual periodontal probe. Result and Conclusion: A total of 59.11% of the studied samples had healthy mental well-being state, whereas 40.81% had poor mental well-being. The severity of depression was stronger in males than in females. In the present study mental well-being, depression, and all its categories did not have any significant effect on periodontal attachment loss. Further studies and health interventions can be planned based on this data.

Gingival pigmentation index proposal of a new index with a brief review of current indices

Cosmetic expectations have increased with time and current trends speak volumes about gingival esthetics and smile designing. Gingival pigmentation especially on the labial aspect of anterior teeth has become an important component of general esthetics. Various physiologic and pathologic factors cause gingival pigmentation. The existing indices do not deal with the etiology, extent and severity of gingival pigmentation. Hence, we propose a new classification and index for gingival pigmentation to assess the treatment needs for the patient.

Education level responsible for inequities in oral practices among 15-34-year-old individuals in Jizan, Saudi Arabia

Background: Education plays an important role and is a second major (non-medical dimensional) factor influencing the health status. Individuals demonstrate oral practices that impact the oral health positively or negatively. This study analyzes how self-reported oral practices are influenced by different educational levels among young adults in Jizan. Materials and Methods: The survey was conducted in four areas around University of Jizan. The survey subjects, aged between 15 and 34 years, completed the self-administered, structured questionnaire. Inter-group comparison was done using Chi-square test. Level of significance was fixed at P < 0.05. Results: Exactly 1597 subjects completed the survey. Of these, 644 (40.3%) had attained higher education, 884 (55.4%) had lower education, and 69 (4.3%) were illiterate. Statistical comparisons showed significant differences among the three groups with respect to the use of toothbrushes (χ2 = 88.67, P < 0.001), use of interdental cleaning aids (χ2 = 15.04, P < 0.001), siwak use (χ2 = 16.31, P < 0.001), cigarette smoking (χ2 = 14.28, P < 0.001), and khat chewing (χ2 = 38.1, P < 0.001). Siwak use was more among those with low educational level and illiterates. Further, smoking and khat chewing were significantly more prevalent among illiterates. Conclusion: The subjects with low education and the illiterates exercise harmful oral practices. This study indicates that educational level is responsible for inequities in oral practices.

Hereditary nonsyndromic gingival fibromatosis: report of family case series.

Hereditary gingival fibromatosis (HGF) is a rare, benign disorder with slowly progressive enlargement of maxillary and mandibular gingiva. Herewith, we report the first case series of HGF presenting among mother and all of her 3 children. Their complaints included unaesthetic appearance due to gingival growth, malocclusion, and difficulty in mastication. Conventional gingivectomy with oral hygiene measures and regular followup is the treatment of choice for such presentation.

Periodontal Status and Risk Factors among Adults of Sebha City (Libya)

The present study was aimed at assessing the periodontal status and risk factors like age, gender, tooth brushing habit, and smoking among the adult population of Sebha city, Libya. 452 adults, aged 35–54 years, comprised the study sample. 266 (58.84%) were females and 186 (41.15%) were males. Data was collected by interview and clinical examination using CPI of CPITN index. Chi-square test and ANOVA were used for statistical analysis at 5% level of significance. Results indicate that 76.32% used toothbrush and paste; 8.84% were current smokers and were all males. Majority, 52.65% were, detected with shallow pockets followed by 30.08% with calculus, 12.17% had deep pockets, 3.31% had bleeding, and only 1.33% were healthy. Age, gender, current smoking status and frequency of tooth brushing showed statistically significant difference with CPI codes. Health professionals can utilize this data to identify individuals at risk and to target population level interventions.

Hepatitis B: Knowledge and attitude of graduating dentists from faculty of dentistry, Sebha University, Libya

Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a major worldwide cause of acute and chronic liver infection. Dentists, dental students, and their paramedical staff are at a heightened risk of exposure to HBV. Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge and attitude of the graduating dentist from Faculty of Dentistry, Sebha University (Libya), toward hepatitis B infection. Subjects and Methods: Ninety-nine participants completed the self-administered, structured, pilot-tested close-ended 37-item questionnaire. Results: It was found that the graduating dental students from different study years have similar knowledge and attitude, except for the responses to questions on curriculum, contracting hepatitis B virus (HBV) from patient, vaccination schedule, perception, and treatment modality for HBV-infected patient, where statistically significant difference was noted. Conclusion: The results indicate that there is need to spread greater awareness about risk and seriousness of the HBV infection among the graduating dentists. We recommend that the dental policymaker considers modifying the dental curriculum to include a detailed session of training in areas of universal infection control procedures, handling high-risk patients, combating fear while treating patients, and teaching them to avoid discriminatory behavior beginning in the 3rd year itself.

Hepatitis C: Knowledge and attitude of graduating dentist from Faculty of Dentistry, Sebha, Libya

Objectives: The present study was undertaken to assess the knowledge and attitude of the graduating dentist with respect to various aspect of hepatitis C. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional survey using a self-administered, structured, and pilot tested closed-ended 26-item questionnaire was completed by 99 dental students from Faculty of Dentistry, Sebha (Libya). Descriptive analysis was carried out, and Chi-square test was used for intergroup comparison. Results: Overall 54.5% students reported that their knowledge with respect to hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection was inadequate. 45.5% participants felt that books were the most common source for acquiring HCV information. Only, 44.4% participants were willing to treat high-risk HCV, patients. 70.7% interns feel that the dentists should not have the right to reject treating an HCV patient. 83% of the participants said that a dentist can contract hepatitis C from their patients if they do not use proper barrier techniques intergroup comparison showed statistically significant difference with issues related to contracting HCV from patient, HCV vaccine, treating patient in normal setting, perceptions toward HCV patients, and attitudes toward providing treatment. Conclusion: The study revealed that the knowledge of HCV among the dental students was not satisfactory, and their attitude toward HCV patients was discriminatory.