Journal of Dental Medicine

 This article presents a challenging case of a 64-year-old man with episodic fever, urticarial rash, and arthralgia, prompting a detailed diagnostic process. Despite initial considerations of adult-onset Still's disease, the atypical symptoms led to further investigations, revealing a periapical abscess through a dental examination. The patient's symptoms significantly improved following dental intervention, challenging the initial diagnostic inclination towards a rheumatological disorder. This case underscores the importance of thorough physical examinations and interdisciplinary collaboration in reaching accurate diagnoses. The ultimate diagnosis of systemic presentation due to an occult dental abscess, highlights the need for a comprehensive approach to medical evaluations, considering various clinical aspects and avoiding diagnostics biases. This case study serves as a reminder of the evolving landscape of medical diagnostics and the continued significance of holistic patient assessments and physical examination as valuable practicing skills.

Background and Aims: Student perspectives play a crucial role in evaluating educational systems. This study assessed the self-efficacy of dental students at Yazd Dental School in diagnosing and managing oral and maxillofacial pathological lesions.
Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among dental students from semesters 6 to 12. A total of 250 self-efficacy questionnaires, designed to evaluate students' abilities in lesion management, were distributed. The questionnaire covered biopsy procedures, differential diagnosis, and treatment planning. Data were collected using structured self-reporting methods and analyzed through SPSS version 16, employing descriptive and inferential statistics, including chi-square tests. The semester progression, gender, age, academic performance, and marital status were examined for their impact on self-efficacy. According to the mean and standard deviation obtained in this study, the scores were divided qualitatively.
Results: The response rate of the questionnaire was 91.6%. The average self-efficacy score was 80.30±14.72 (out of 150), indicating a moderate level of confidence. Performing biopsies had the lowest self-efficacy, while diagnosing and managing oral ulcers had the highest. Higher-semester students showed significantly greater self-efficacy (P=0.018), whereas variations based on gender, age, academic performance, and marital status were not statistically significant (P>0.05). Increased exposure to the clinical cases and theoretical knowledge contributed to a growth in self-efficacy over time.
Conclusion: Overall, the students demonstrated moderate self-efficacy in lesion management. Higher-semester students benefited from accumulated experience, though specific areas, such as biopsy procedures and lesion diagnosis, which require further emphasis. Future strategies should enhance teaching methods, clinical practice opportunities, and assessment approaches to prepare students for the practical challenges they will face.