Indian Journal of Dental Education

Background/Purpose: Child abuse and neglect refer to any intentional harm or failure to act that results in physical, emotional, or psychological harm to a child. This can include physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, and neglect, which is the failure to provide for a child’s basic needs. Child abuse can have long-lasting effects on a child’s development and well-being, making it a critical public health and social issue. Recognizing and addressing child abuse and neglect is essential for protecting children’s rights and ensuring their healthy development. Objective : The aim of the present study is to evaluate the baseline level of knowledge and awareness among interns regarding child abuse and neglect, including their familiarity with signs and symptoms, risk factors, reporting protocols, and legal obligations. Methods: The study was an observational, questionnaire-based survey approved by the ethical committee. The survey used an online Google Form. The questionnaire, based on previously validated instruments, had five sections: Demographics, Knowledge, Attitudes, Assessment and Awareness. Results: Most respondents showed moderate to high knowledge of child abuse and neglect, particularly in identifying types and signs. Among 3 professionals, an average 896% linked emotional attachment to CAN. However, there were gaps in recognizing subtle signs and broader risk factors. 86.8% dental interns, 88.3% medical interns and 89.7% trainee nurses were confident in recognizing suspected cases and also aware of safe touch. On average of 82% medical and dental interns were aware of legislation regarding CAN. Conclusion: Medical professionals often lack the knowledge to identify and respond to child abuse, leading to hesitation in reporting due to uncertainty or fear of misjudgment. Sensitization programs for interns and trainee nurses can enhance their ability to recognize, empathize, and confidently report cases, ensuring timely protection for children.

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a prevalent cancer with significant treatment-related side effects, necessitating innovative adjunct strategies. Shortterm fasting (STF), defined as 24–72 hours of caloric abstention, has emerged as a potential complementary approach to enhance cancer therapy outcomes. STF induces systemic metabolic changes, including reduced glucose, insulin, and IGF- 1 levels, inhibiting oncogenic pathways like PI3K/AKT/mTOR. This creates a differential stress resistance (DSR) effect, protecting normal cells while sensitizing cancer cells to chemotherapy and radiotherapy. STF also promotes oxidative stress, autophagic cell death, and immune modulation, including reduced regulatory T cells and enhanced cytotoxic T-cell activity, potentially improving immunotherapy efficacy. STF has shown promise in preclinical studies for enhancing tumor shrinkage, mitigating chemotherapy-induced toxicity, and reducing radiotherapy side effects like mucositis. While it offers significant benefits, careful patient selection and standardized protocols are essential to ensure safety, particularly for those with metabolic disorders or cachexia. Future research should explore biomarkers, optimized fasting protocols, and combinations with targeted therapies. STF represents a transformative strategy in OSCC treatment by integrating metabolic reprogramming, immune enhancement, and tumor sensitivity to optimize therapeutic outcomes.

Ethics plays a critical role in dental education and professional practice. In India, ethical considerations in dental education are often overlooked, leading to significant challenges in training ethical practitioners. The existing curriculum provides minimal exposure to ethical training, and there is a lack of structured programs to instill ethical decision-making in students. This review explores the role of ethics in dental education in India, focusing on the current curriculum, ethical dilemmas faced by students and professionals, and the implications of inadequate ethical training. Key issues include patient consent, commercialization of education, academic dishonesty, and quality of care. The review also discusses the role of faculty, regulatory bodies, and institutional policies in strengthening ethical education. Furthermore, it highlights the necessity of introducing a structured ethics curriculum that includes case-based learning, interactive discussions, and ethical decision-making models. Future directions suggest the integration of digital learning, artificial intelligence, and continuous professional development programs to ensure ethical competency in dental professionals. The implementation of these measures is crucial for fostering a culture of integrity and accountability, ultimately improving the standard of dental education and practice in India.

This case shares about the outcome of PSI in large sized lesion of the Mandible and Our experience regarding the factors leading to the failure of Patient specific Implants. The Patient was suffering from odontogenic keratocyst, extending from right side angle to left side angle of the mandible. After segmental mandibulectomy, Patient Specific Implant was delivered. Thereafter 1 month, PSI was exposed and got infected. On the next step, we retrieved the PSI and did microvascular free fibula flap for reconstruction of jaw. This paper focuses on the scope of improvement for mandibular reconstruction by Patient Specific Implant.