Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of polydeoxyribonucleotide (PDRN) injection after impacted mandibular third molar (IMTM) extraction. The primary outcome was postoperative pain, while secondary outcomes included postoperative swelling, periodontal pocket depth, and patient-reported outcome. Materials and Methods: Thirty medically uncompromised patients who underwent bilateral extraction of IMTMs were enrolled in the clinical study. PDRN was randomly injected on the experimental side, while normal saline was injected on the control side.Postoperative pain was assessed using a visual analog scale. Postoperative swelling was evaluated via linear measurements based on the Laskin method. Furthermore, three-dimensional volumetric analysis was conducted by superimposing serial facial scans obtained at baseline (preoperatively) and on postoperative days 3 and 7. Pocket probing depth was evaluated using a periodontal probe. Patients’ postoperative morbidity and subjective perceptions were evaluated using the patient-centered outcome questionnaire. Statistical software was used to evaluate the data, and p<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Patients demonstrated statistically meaningful reductions in postoperative pain, swelling, and discomfort on the experimental side. Conclusion The results suggest that PDRN injection can be a suitable option to mitigate postoperative complications after IMTM extraction. However, further randomized controlled trials are required to confirm the reliability of the study and verify its suitability.

Submental intubation has been the recommended airway management procedure for maxillofacial surgery since proposed by Altemir in 1986. We adopted various submental intubation modifications based on modified intubation protocols and report on the effectiveness and problems of each modified method. Case: Among a total of 13 submental intubation cases during the last five years, five representative methods are described. The proximal end of the endotracheal tube was protected by a nelaton catheter in case 1, by a suction connector in case 2, and by a dental needle cap in case 3. In case 4, a nasal speculum was used to expand a single route, and in case 5, a laparoscopic trocar was used to secure a single route. Conclusions: Use of a laparoscopic trocar might be the most effective way to obtain a single submental route. However, considering cost, use of a nasal speculum is also an effective suboptimal solution.

Due to the short history of dental education in Laos, the educational system is still incomplete, with only a few faculty development (FD) programs. This study aims to identify the needs assessment for FD, in Lao dental education. A survey was conducted, with dentists from the Faculty of Dentistry, in 2022. Data on demographics, perceived importance, and ability, on the 13 roles and competencies of teachers, as well as the 26 FD items’ needs assessment were collected. Data were compared between the two groups (lecturers and assistant teachers), and analyzed to identify different needs. Sixty-seven responses were included, after excluding inappropriate ones. Lecturers and assistant teachers expressed their needs for developing a syllabus, and teaching using simulation. Lecturers revealed the need to improve their roles as resource developers, followed by learning facilitators and lecturer in a classroom setting. Assistant teachers reported their prioritized needs for improving their role as on-the-job role models, followed by lecturer in a classroom setting, and mentor, personal adviser, or tutor. Assistant teachers showed higher educational needs scores than lecturers, in most questionnaire items. Although the needs assessment of FD indicates different needs, based on the differing roles and responsibilities, assistant teachers’ needs scores are generally higher. An FD program could prioritize the most common needs of both groups at an early stage, but the topics most needed by each group should also be considered. This study can inform a future FD program, to improve Lao dental education.