1.Dental Students’ Perceptions of Learning Space: A Focus Group Study
Archives of Orofacial Sciences 2020;15(2):175-185
Optimal learning space enhances teaching and learning experience and may differ from one discipline
to another. This research aimed to explore the opinions on learning spaces for teaching and learning
orthodontic course among recent dental graduates. Focus group discussions (FGD) were conducted
in 2018 with two groups of recent graduates (eight participants per group) based on their orthodontic
examination results (high and low grades). They were asked to give their opinions on the learning space
provided for orthodontic lectures, tutorials, clinics, self-study and networking. Discussions during the
FGD were audio and video recorded. Data were transcribed and thematically analysed using the NVivo
version 12 software. For lectures, the graduates preferred a conventional lecture hall layout with an
individual power outlet and a desk large enough for a laptop. For tutorials, the graduates with higher
grades preferred e-tutorials while the graduates with lower grades preferred the conventional tutorials.
For clinical teaching, the graduates perceived the laboratory’s operating hours as limited and suggested
a 24-h access card. The graduates preferred live-streaming sessions instead of on-site teachings for
combined clinics. They also felt that they do not have time for self-study and networking during their
time in the campus. The findings of the study showed that learning space preferences of undergraduate
dental students for lecture, tutorial, clinic, self-study and networking were more focused towards their
learning activities, which were different from the current concept of learning space. Future planning of
learning space should consider students’ preferences in order to fulfil their learning goals.
2.Penggunaan Aplians Penahan Ortodontik Boleh Tanggal Bagi Pengekalan Hasil Rawatan Ortodontik - Ulasan The Use of Removable Retainers to Maintain the Results of Post-Orthodontic Treatment – A Review
LEW XIAN ; ASMA ASHARI ; ALIZAE MARNY FADZLIN SYED MOHAMED ; LAU MAY NAK ; ROHAYA MEGAT ABDUL WAHAB ; ASMA ALHUSNA ; FARINAWATI YAZID
Malaysian Journal of Health Sciences 2021;19(No.2):51-61
Retention phase is fundamental in orthodontic treatment. Around 70% of patients are subjected to relapse postorthodontic treatment. The risk of relapse can be minimized by prescribing a retainer suitable to a patient’s pre-treatment
clinical condition and based on retention characteristics of retainers. When removable retainers are prescribed,
responsibility of maintaining tooth stability lies on patients. Recent idea has been proposed that removable retainer
should be worn indefinitely in order to maintain the treatment result. Therefore, the understanding of retention
characteristics of removable retainers is important for promoting patient compliance and satisfaction. This article
focuses on reviewing the use of removable retainers in relation to preferences among clinicians, patient acceptability,
effectiveness, compliance, as well as retention regimes. An electronic search was conducted in the PubMed/MEDLINE,
ScienceDirect and Scopus database. The search was performed up to June 2020 using a variety of keywords including
orthodontic retainers, Hawley, vacuum formed and retention. Among the 248 publications that were initially searched,
total of 56 publications were finally included. Twenty-seven were observational (6 prospective; 16 cross-sectional, 4
retrospective, and 1 case series), fourteen experimental, fourteen review articles, and one opinion piece. Although quite
a number of reviews on removable retainers were available, several significant papers have been published recently.
Furthermore, a guideline on retention regime is warranted.