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BACKGROUND: According to Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services HHS 2017, when a medical disease suddenly manifests itself with acute symptoms of sufficient intensity (including extreme pain) endangering the patient's health, seriously impairing body functions or bringing an organ or its portion to be seriously dysfunctional, a medical emergency has occurred. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude, and perceived confidence in handling medical emergencies among dental students by the means of conducting this investigation. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study conducted among the different hierarchies of dentists of Riyadh using an online survey; 387 dentists from varying clinical levels (9 to 12) were included in this study. The questionnaire used for this study consisted of questions related to demographic data followed by questions including knowledge, attitude, and confidence towards handling medical emergencies in clinics. RESULTS: In this study, male participants represented 64.4% and female subjects represented 35.6% of the total population. Most of the undergraduates were in their 5th year of dentistry school and accounted for 36.9%, followed by 6th year 36.2% and 4th year 26.8%. 67.1% of the undergraduates never encountered any medical emergency during their study, while 32.9% encountered an emergency. Furthermore, 58.4% of the analyzed subjects recorded medical history thoroughly, while priority in an emergency was adrenaline, with a percentage of 45%. For the patient suffering syncope the Trendelenburg position was chosen. Also, the first action choice with unresponsive patients was CPR. CONCLUSIONS: In the present study, the findings revealed that the majority of the population never encountered an emergency in their career, but their knowledge about drug priority and patient's position was good. Most of them do not measure vital signs routinely; specifically, females do not usually measure, while males measure when needed. About Basic Life Support (BLS), participants took BLS or were interested in taking it in the future; furthermore, in group population, both have taken it and are interested in further carrying it.
RESUMEN
INTRODUCTION: Among the several materials and techniques being used in fixed prosthodontics, impression materials and techniques were the major focus of this study. These materials are available in the market to be used by dental practitioners. However, their choice depends on certain factors, which include their properties, advantages, disadvantages, and cost. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A questionnaire-based cross-sectional study was conducted among dental students using online survey. 2Dental students from Riyadh city willing to take part in this study were requested to fill up and submit the survey questionnaire. RESULTS: Six hundred and sixteen out of 800 dental students from Riyadh city took part in this study. It was noted from the findings that 88% male students used alginate for diagnostic impressions, which was statistically significant and lower than females (94%). Ninety-one percent of the interns reported that they used retraction cord for gingival retraction as compared to 81% fourth-year students, with the difference being statistically significant (P value: 0.016). CONCLUSION: Dental students in Riyadh city have a strong inclination toward a particular material, either for primary or secondary impressions or gingival retraction options.