DT Pakistan No. 1, 2021

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PUBLISHED IN PAKISTAN

www.dental-tribune.com.pk

An exclusive
interview with
Prof. Dr Khalid Almas

INTERVIEW

G

Page 4

JAN-FEB 2021 - Issue No. 01 Vol.8

Dentist facing
charge for putting
pressure on ...

NEWS

Page 9

Researchers
scramble to
understand new ...

NEWS

Page 10

FDIs Vision 2030 report
aims to improve oral health
over the next decade

Prof. Michael Glick, FDI Vision 2030
Working Group co-chair, adds:
How can we, as members of the oral
health community, anticipate
transformational changes and trends in
the global healthcare environment? How
do we seize opportunities to become
productive members of healthcare teams
delivering person-centered care? These
are some of the broad questions we strive
to answer through Vision 2030

Photo: DT Pakistan

ENEVA - Coinciding with the 148th
session of the World Health Organization
Executive Board, where an oral health
resolution is on the agenda for adoption by
governments, FDI releases Vision 2030: Delivering
Optimal Oral Health for All, a timely report that
offers a comprehensive, inter-disciplinary roadmap
on how to impact health policies and tackle
challenges to improve oral health and reduce oral
health inequalities over the next decade.
Vision 2030 recommends strategies to address
the oral disease burden that communities can adapt
to their own needs and circumstances, enabling
them to implement relevant solutions. The report
also considers how broad societal shifts, such as
ageing populations, will require the oral health
workforce to adapt and remain equipped to deliver
consistent care.
"Vision 2030 outlines the ways in which we can
integrate our profession within global development
agendas, including the UN Sustainable
Development goals and the implementation of
universal health coverage, that determine important
health priorities," says Prof. David Williams, FDI
Vision 2030 Working Group co-chair.

Achieving optimal oral health for all requires
strong advocates who are ready to tackle this major
public health challenge. Through the steps laid out
in Vision 2030, the oral health profession will be
well-equipped to argue for the better integration
of oral health within overall health, united behind
a set of shared aims.
The authors of the Vision 2030 report, an expert
team of professionals hailing from diverse sectors
within the healthcare community, have emphasized
the need to engage with the public, as well as a
range of other stakeholders. Vision 2030 calls for
patients themselves to be well-informed advocates
for their own oral health and be able to take an
active role in their treatment decisions. From the
patient to the profession, Vision 2030 drives the
message home that there is no health without oral
health.

YEARS

About FDI World Dental Federation
Founded in 1900, FDI World Dental Federation
is an international, membership-based organization
that serves as the main representative body for more
than one million dentists worldwide, active in some
200 national dental associations and specialist
groups in close to 130 countries. Based in Geneva,
Switzerland, FDI's mission is to lead the world to
optimal oral health.
Vision 2030 Working Group: Michael Glick
(Co-Chair), David M. Williams (Co-Chair), Ihsane
Ben Yahya, William W. M. Cheung, Enzo Bondioni,
Pam Clark, Stefan Listl, Manu Raj Mathur, Peter
Mossey, Hiroshi Ogawa, Gerhard K. Seeberger,
Michael Sereny. -PR

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NEWS

2 DENTAL TRIBUNE Pakistan Edition JAN-FEB 2021

Azra Pechuho hits out at PMC over
discrepancies in MDCAT result
DT Pakistan Report

K

ARACHI - Sindh
Minister for Health Azra
Fazl Pechuhu expressed
her reservation over the recently
conducted test by the Pakistan
Medical Commission (PMC) and
pointed out discrepancies during the
procedure.

14 irrelevant questions.
"Even results had discrepancies as
roll numbers and names of many
candidates did not match each other,"
she said adding that conducting tests
for medical institutions does not
come under the authority of the
commission.
She further said that even Punjab
province has raised 11 reservations

students from the
rural areas were
unable to pass the
PMC exam.
"This not only
deprived students
of these rural areas of their basic
right to acquire education but also
left many seats vacant in the medical
universities," Azra Pechuhu said.

Photo: DT Pakistan

Terming the questions in the
PMC test as out of syllabus, she
said that most of the MCQs were
from the syllabus of the federal
education system including

on the entire testing process.
Further shedding light, the minister
said that the students are given
admission in the province on the
basis of a quota system and many

PROMOTION

Dr Kulsoom Fatima Rizvi
promotes to the rank of Professor

Prof. Dr Mehmood Hussain joins JSMU

K

ARACHI - Prof. Dr Mehmood
Hussain has recently joined as
Head of Prosthodontics
Department, Sindh Institute of Oral Health
Sciences, Jinnah Sindh Medical University.
Prof Mehmood Hussain started his carrier from
Hamdard University and started FCPS II Training
there. He is the Focal Person in College of Physicians
and Surgeons Pakistan (CPSP) for Prosthodontics
Committee and serves as Regional Coordinator for
Pakistan Prosthodontics Association for many years.
He gave many oral presentations in local and
international conferences and numerous research
publications to his credit. -PR

I

DT Pakistan Report

SLAMABAD - The Ministry of
National Health Services (NHS) has
urged the Ministry of Finance to lay
Federal Health Levy Bill in parliament to
impose a tax on tobacco and sugary drinks
to boost revenues and prevent noncommunicable diseases.
In a letter to the Ministry
of Finance, Prime Minister
Imran Khan's Special
Assistant on Health Dr Faisal Sultan stressed the need
to impose a health tax of Rs10 per pack of 20 cigarettes
and Rs 1 per 250 millilitres on carbonated drinks as
approved by the federal cabinet on June 18, 2019.
Mr Sultan said non-communicable diseases like heart
disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes and chronic lung ailment
were collectively responsible for almost 68 per cent of
all deaths in Pakistan.
"Pakistan is obligated to reduce one-third premature
mortality from these diseases mainly caused by the
tobacco by 2030 as a part of its targets set in Sustainable
Development Goals (SDGs)," he said.
He said the government could achieve the goal by
decreasing the tobacco consumption among the youth
through the imposition of the health tax. The imposition
of health tax on tobacco and sugary drinks as per the
decision of the cabinet will prove as a catalyst to reduce
the non-communicable diseases in the country, he said
Continued on Page 11

Photo:
DT Pakistan

ANNOUNCEMENT

Ministry urges early
imposition of Tobacco Tax
TAXES

K

ARACHI - Dr Kulsoom Fatima
Rizvi, Vice Principal Dental
Section and Head of the
Department of Community Dentistry,
Bahria University of Medical and Dental College
(BUMDC) has been recently promoted to Professor's
position.
Dr Kulsoom has diligently served BUMDC for ten
years, and she is amongst the pioneer faculty members
of the varsity. -PR

She further said that the provinces
are empowered after the 18th
amendment and they are mulling
over to establish a Sindh medical
and dental council.

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4 DENTAL TRIBUNE Pakistan Edition JAN-FEB 2021
Dental Tribune Pakistan: You have been recently
listed among the world's top 2% scientists in the
world. What was your reaction?
Dr Khalid Almas: First of all, my instant reaction
was to say Alhamdulillah. I was sitting at my office,
and one of my colleagues, whose high profile
researcher at our workplace, congratulated me. I
asked him what happened. And he told me that
your name is listed among world's top scientists
and asked him what about you? And he said to me
that he was searching for his name in the list when
he came across mine. So I instantly thanked Allah,
who has been gracious; this is all due to His kindness
and mercy. And the well-wishers' prayers and
parents' prayers, family, wife, Dr Pakeeza Waheed
and children for their immeasurable love,
unconditional support and unwavering
perseverance. Of course, my patients, students all
over the world that I have met in the past 30 years
of my life. So I have a brief recollection of these
things, and then I came back to my reality, and it
took me about 30 seconds, and I said Alhamdulillah.
And that was my response! After a while, when
the news spread, I started receiving messages from
my friends and everyone else.
When I informed my children, they didn't seem
surprised because they suffered during my career.
The reason because it was, to some extent, the cost
of family time. And I remember that when my son
was three years old, and my elder daughter was
peeping at my door, but I ignored them and kept
preparing my presentation and proposals. My wife
said that you know, don't be so rude and give time
to children. I said we are investing in ourselves
and the future of the family. All this hardship was
reciprocated with the family's smiles, and
Alhamdulillah it paid off in the end.
DTP: How your interest in the field of research
developed?
DKA: I think I am not a very social person, but
still, I met some excellent friends in my life. I have
always tried to ignore the shortcomings of others
and wanted to share positivity. That, of course,
created efficient teamwork. I have worked with
people from many different backgrounds and
countries. And these days, you know, I am working

Science is shifting sand, and every
day we are getting new information
so which one to believe. The
professionals' role is to sieve through
all of that information, develop
guidelines and evaluate whenever new
pieces of information are found and
implemented accordingly. I think we
lack that component
in some areas that I haven't worked on before. Like
in the animal research and molecular type of
research, I am not a scientist. I was trained as a
clinician, and later on, I found that I am a full-time
faculty. Since I had invested some time in clinical
dentistry, I thought I should probably invest more
time in innovative thinking. And because I was
also the Journal editor at the students Union during
my dental college days so, at that time, I also had
the habit of reading and writing. You know my
father trained me as a researcher, and it was

Only personal
accountability can
lead to success;

Prof. Dr Khalid Almas
by Dr Muattar Hanif

P

rofessor Dr Khalid Almas graduated from de
Montmorency College of Dentistry, University of Punjab,
Lahore, Pakistan. He then moved to the UK, for Master in
Periodontology and later Master in Dental Public Health from
Eastman Institute of Dental Sciences and the London Hospital
Medical College/University College, University of London.
He earned a Fellowship in Dental Surgery from Royal
Australasian College of Dental Surgery and later a Fellowship
in Dental Surgery of the Royal College of Surgeons of
Edinburgh, Scotland, UK. Later on, he earned a fellowship
of American Academy of Oral Medicine. He is also a fellow
of International College of Dentists.
He served as Head of Department of Periodontology and
Oral Medicine, and Assistant Professor at de Montmorency
College of Dentistry, Lahore, then as an Assistant Professor
at King Saud University, Saudi Arabia. He served as an
Associate Professor at New York University from 2003 -2007
and then moved to University of Connecticut School of Dental
Medicine. He was promoted to full professor rank in 2011
and served as a Clinical Professor, Director predoctoral
periodontics program and Director International Fellowship
in Advanced Periodontics. Currently, Dr Almas is serving as
Professor of Periodontology and Graduate Periodontics
Program Director, at Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University.
He also maintains his visiting/volunteer professor position at
the University of Connecticut, USA and Rawal Institute of
Medical Sciences, Islamabad, Pakistan.
His editorial and Ad hoc reviewer services extended to
more than 15 biomedical and dental journals. He has also
served as International Examiner in top universities of
Malaysia, Sweden and Sudan. He has written more than 230
papers in peer reviewed dental and Medical journals, along
with two books and many chapters written for books published
in different countries.
His exceptional record has made his name listed among
world's top 2% scientist. A list that has been compiled by
Ioannidis et al from Stanford University who analysed
thousands of articles on the Scopus database until May 2020.
The inclusion of Dr Khalid name in the list is a true testimony
of his hard work and dedication in field of Dentistry and
Research. Dental Tribune Pakistan (DTP) recently spoke to
Dr Khalid about his efforts toward the positive representation
of Pakistan on global and national dental platforms and about
his contribution to the dental profession and research.

INTERVIEW
surprising that he had his library. He gave me some
question and would say that these are the books
and find out the answer. Sometimes, it will take
me a day or at times a week to find the answer to
the question. It was more of like an open book
exam. Later on, I realised that it was my research
training. The questions were usually on the topic
of politics, history and religion, and poetry. So I
think I had the opportunity to have my initial days
of training taught by the parents, good friends, and
well-wishers. And I also think it's the conducive
environment that we work in. So wherever I worked,
I tried to be honest about the place of my work. So
my mentor told me that think globally, but locally.
And I think I worked on that.
So no matter wherever I travel, I try to live in
the moment. I was not much futuristic, and I was
not much into the past. So I always said that what
is in front of us all the challenges we tried to sort
it out. And sometimes, I met difficult people in my
career like many others the hardships. I wanted to
neglect them, ignore them. I found my way to leave
them behind. I tried to grow myself under the
enormous trees for some time in the past, which
was a failure. So I wanted to develop myself as an
independent individual like a little plant on my
own. And all these things I think have contributed.
I am very fond of going to conferences, travelling
and that happened a lot. You get the ideas, you
collaborate, you teamwork and develop them, and
that's how you proceed.
DTP: What are the biggest challenges that the
field of research is facing in Pakistan?
DKA: I think your question is very valid. The
challenges are plenty, and I know it for a fact. I
have always taken the challenge as an opportunity.
Coming back to challenges, during my time in
Pakistan, I was doing clinics and teaching
simultaneously, and of course, after doing it for a
year, I soon realised that I am not doing justice to
both of these things. And most of my fellows and
colleagues had the same routine; teaching and then
doing clinics. And I don't blame them because due
to hardships and financial reasons, one is bound to
continue.
Another thing is that there is a typical mindset.
Of course, people's clinical perspective is there,
and we have to be clinically competent. But later
on, I found that you know that habit of reading
every day. I read something before I go to bed.
That is still my habit. My children say, why are
you wasting your time reading, and I said I am
trying to nourish my mind. If I don't read, my mind
will be starved during the night before I go to sleep.
Every day you learn something, and now you know,

Don't fall into the trap of money. Make
yourself so much value that money itself
will follow you. Throughout my career,
I worked on this approach.
Alhamdulillah, I am comfortable
random information and the bombardment of it
during this internet. So I think it isn't easy, but my
initial training in research and reading habits helped.
So as I have said, many people's part-time academic
career in Pakistan and students and faculty's practice
and all things.
Continued on Page 11

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NEWS

6 DENTAL TRIBUNE Pakistan Edition JAN-FEB 2021

UCMD presents a workshop on the
fundamentals of growth prediction

L

AHORE - University
College of Medicine
and Dentistry
(UCMD), University of Lahore
(UOL) recently organised a
workshop titled 'Mastering the
fundamentals of growth
prediction.' The event was
organised by Dr Fareeha
Bukhari, Associate Professor,
UCMD.
The event started with an
informative lecture by Prof.
Rehan Qamar about growth
prediction methods followed
by a task-oriented, video-based
and hands-on workshop
executed by Dr Fareeha
Bukhari.
The individualised hands-on
workshop was facilitated by
D r U s m a n Yo u s a f , D r
Munawar Manzoor and other
faculty members of the
Department of Orthodontics,
UCMD.
Around 20 participants
and Dr M. Aslam, Medical

Photos:
DT Pakistan

Photos:
DT Pakistan

Prof Arshad conducts
Exodontia workshop

Superintendent, attended the
workshop while following the
strict compliance regarding
departmental Standard
Operating Procedures (SOPs)
of COVID-19 pandemic.
Prof. Moghees A. Baig, Dean
and Principal, UCMD and
appreciated all members'
activity and participation in an
exemplary manner.

Expert highlights ways to
perform oral surgery with
COVID-19 SOPs

L
The session ended with the
distribution of certificates to
the participants, speakers, and
facilitators. -PR

UCMD gives insight on
excelling MS Excel

L

AHORE - University College of
Medicine and Dentistry (UCMD),
AHORE - University College of
University of Lahore (UOL)
Medicine and Dentistry (UCMD),
recently organised a
University of Lahore (UOL) recently
workshop titled 'Excel
organised a workshop titled 'Mandibular 3rd
with MS Excel.' The event
Molar Surgery during COVID-19 with Standard
was part of the 2nd UHS
Operating Procedures (SOPs).' The event was
International Dental
part of the 2nd UHS International Dental
Conference. The event
Conference. The event aimed to raise awareness
aimed to inculcate the skills and knowledge
about the significant challenges faced during
of using MS Excel to all Health Professions
surgical procedures such as the spread of the
Educators ranks.
COVID-19 among patients and healthcare
Dr Arooj ul Hasan, Assistant Professor
workers.
of Department of Community and
Preventive Dentistry and Dr M. Waheed
Azfar, Senior Demonstrator of Department
of Medical Education at UCMD were the
facilitators for the workshop.
Facilitators highlighted various techniques
on data management. They also
demonstrated tools that help in organising
and reporting multiple types of data. These
techniques were even applied by the
Photo:
Photo:
DT Pakistan
participants, who responded with positive
DT Pakistan
reviews of using the introduced variety of
methods.
The event was broadcasted live to all the
Prof. Moghees A. Baig, Dean and
registered participants. The facilitators
Principal, UCMD praised the facilitators'
practically demonstrated standard barrier
efforts for their collaborative efforts in
techniques and COVID-19 SOPs for performing
organising an online workshop during the
the surgical procedure.
COVID-19 pandemic. -PR
Continued on Page 11

L

AHORE - An 'Exodontia workshop' was recently
organised by the Institute of Advanced Dental
Sciences and Research (IADSR) at Centre of
Professional Development, Lahore.
The workshop was conducted by Prof. Dr Arshad
Mahmood Malik, Principal/Dean, HBS Dental College
Islamabad. The participants included undergraduate
students, postgraduate students, house surgeons and
general dental practitioners.
The workshop was comprised of detailed lectures,
hands on learning on patients. Such activity gave
opportunity to every participant to learn every aspect
of exodontia.
The participants appreciated the efforts of the organising
committee, headed under the supervision of Prof. Dr
Ayyaz Ali Khan. -PR

ZU puts spotlight on
essentials of CBCT

K

ARACHI - Ziauddin
University (ZU) recently
held lecture in Continuing
Dental Education (CDE) lecture on
the topic, 'Essentials of Cone Beam
Computed Tomography (CBCT) for
Dentists.'
Photos: Photos:
DT Pakistan DT Pakistan

The lecture was planned and facilitated by Dr Ayesha
Hanif, Faculty, Department of Periodontology, Ziauddin
College of Dentistry, ZU. The guest speaker for the
session was Dr S M Abdullah Salman, Assistant
Professor, Baqai Medical University.
The event aimed to highlight the indications,
advantages and disadvantages, identify anatomical
landmarks, 3D imaging and its judicial usage, and
manoeuvre through various anatomical planes and
treatment planning with CBCT.
Continued on Page 11

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NEWS

8 DENTAL TRIBUNE Pakistan Edition JAN-FEB 2021

AIDM faculty completes
certification in health
professional education

K

Photo: DT Pakistan

LCMD organises workshop on Formatting BCQs

K

ARACHI - The Department of Health
Professional Education (DHPE), Liaquat
College of Medicine and Dentistry
(LCMD) recently organised a series of workshops
entitled 'Formatting Best Choice Questions
(BCQs) for faculty members of Medicine and
Dentistry.
The objectives of the workshops were to
introduce the faculty to the newly developed
Q-Bank software and to standardize the format
of BCQs that are submitted to the Q-Bank.

The workshops were conducted by Prof. Dr
Irfan Ashraf, the Director of Professional
Development Center (PDC), LCMD. He also
emphasised that the purpose of a BCQ is to check
the knowledge of students and not to confuse
them into making mistakes.
The workshop was attended by all
concerned faculty members. The participants
appreciated the efforts of the college in
conducting workshops focused on professional
development. -PR

Top achievers in price distribution ceremony

K

ARACHI - Bahria University
Medical and Dental College
(BUMDC) recently organised a
prize distribution ceremony. The cash
awards were presented to the position
holders of each batch of Medical and Dental
Section. The event aimed to acknowledge
the students' hard work and efforts to
achieve good grades and position in the
professional examination.
Rear Admiral Imtiaz Ahmed HI (M),
Continued on Page 11

Final year students showcase skills in
Orthodontic presentation competition

K

ARACHI - The
Department of
Orthodontics, Bahria
University Medical and Dental
College (BUMDC) recently
organised a presentation
competition of final year BDS
students as an end-rotation
activity.
The event aimed to create
learning opportunities,
encourage students' self-learning
ability, boost their confidence,
and gauge their understanding.
Each student had to prepare the
case to emphasise the aetiology,
clinical presentation, diagnosis,
and preventive or interceptive
management.
The event's chief guest was
Prof. Dr Kulsoom Rizvi, Vice

Photo:
DT Pakistan

was to improve the teaching and assessment
practices in institutions and form a platform for
advancing standards in health professional
education.
The faculty members of AIDM included Prof.
Dr Hasnain Sakrani, Dr Maria Ghani, Dr Seeme
Nigar, Dr Batool Sajjad and Dr Maria Shakoor
Abbasi. Out of the 45 participants enrolled in
Continued on Page 11
Photos: DT Pakistan

Photo:
DT Pakistan

ARACHI - The faculty members of
Altamash Institute of Dental Medicine
(AIDM) recently completed their
Certification in Health Professional Education
(CHPE) from Jinnah Sindh Medical University
(JSMU). The JSMU-CHPE program's objective

K

ARACHI - The Department of
Periodontology, Altamash Institute of
Dental Medicine (AIDM) recently
arranged the best house offices award
distribution. Dr Hasain, Principal, AIDM along
with Dr Zaheer Hussain Chachar, Head of
Department of Periodontology distributed
awards and gave token of appreciation to house
officers. -PR

Photo:
DT Pakistan

Photo: DT Pakistan

Principal, Dental section,
BUMDC. The event was
organised and supervised by Dr
Farheen Fatima, Senior
Registrar, BUMDC and Dr
Tauqeer Bibi, Registrar,
BUMDC.
The judges scored the
presentations based on content,
time management and

presentations skills. The winner
and runner ups of the
competition are Chaudhry
Muhammad Aizaz Tahir and
Abeer Rashid. Certificates were
awarded to the winner and
runner ups by Prof. Dr Kulsoom
Rizvi and Dr Tabassum Ahsan
Qadeer, Associate Professor,
BUMDC. -PR

BUMDC bids farewell
to Dr Sameera

K

ARACHI - Bahria University of Medical
and Dental College (BUMDC) recently
arranged a farewell for Dr Sameera,
Senior Registrar, Department of Oral Medicine,
BUMDC.
The ceremony was attended by Prof. Dr Wahab
Kadri, Principal, Dental Section, BUMDC,
Continued on Page 11

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NEWS

JAN-FEB 2021 Pakistan Edition DENTAL TRIBUNE 9

A German dentist was harshly criticised on social media platforms for putting pressure on his dental team to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. However,
in the opinion of political leaders and ethics councils, a compulsory vaccination for healthcare workers could be possible in the near future.
(Image: Halfpoint/Shutterstock)

Dentist facing charge for putting pressure on
employees to get COVID-19 vaccine

By Franziska Beier

FAFFENHOFEN AN DER
ILM, GERMANY Healthcare providers
worldwide have started administering
the long-awaited COVID-19 vaccine.
In many countries, dental teams are
included in the first group eligible to
receive it. Recently, a Bavarian dentist
arranged vaccination appointments
for his entire practice staff. However,
he also threatened negative
consequences for anyone who refused
to be vaccinated. As no legal basis for
such a requirement has yet been
established in Germany, the dentist
was reported to the authorities.
Many dental associations around
the world are fighting for dental teams
to be included in the first vaccination
phase in order for them to be protected
during dental treatments. The
Donaukurier, a Bavarian local daily
newspaper, reported the case of a
dentist who had planned to have all
of his employees vaccinated for their
own and for his patients' protection.
However, he announced that anyone
who refused to receive the
immunisation would be suspended

from work without pay. After this
statement, he was strongly criticised
and may now face legal consequences.
Even though the dentist admitted to
the newspaper that the wording of his
message was inappropriate, he is still
convinced that his approach was
justified. "If one of my patients
contracts SARS-CoV-2, I am
responsible for it," he told
Donaukurier. "I strongly support this
vaccination. Anyone who wants to
work in a medical profession in the
future will have to be vaccinated. The
core of it is that all employees get the
best protection," he added. He had
expected his employees to react
positively to his vaccination
appointment, he said, adding that he
is willing to go to court.
Will there be a mandatory
vaccination for healthcare workers?
Dr Markus Söder, minister-president
of Bavaria, has advocated for a debate
on a partial compulsory vaccination
in order to increase the number of
vaccinations. The compulsory
vaccination would be for healthcare
workers working in retirement and
care homes. "If very few employees
are willing to get vaccinated, this

matter should be discussed," he told
Nordbayern. "The German Ethics
Council should look into this," he
added. However, Söder emphasised
that there will be no general
compulsory vaccination.
According to theologian and
philosopher Prof. Nikolaus Knoepffler,
who is a member of the Bavarian
Ethics Council, doctors and nurses
who reject the vaccination violate their
moral duty. "In my opinion, if
someone works in a nursing profession
or a medical profession, he or she
violates this moral duty in several
ways," he said to Donaukurier. "Those
who refuse the vaccination do not
fulfil their function as a role model,
which is to encourage others to get
vaccinated, and they put others at
risk," he explained.
For employees in the health sector,
a general vaccination requirement by
the employer would be conceivable
even without generally introduced
compulsory vaccination, clarified
Peter Betz, a labour lawyer in
Pfaffenhofen, to Donaukurier. "Even
the introduction of a general
vaccination requirement for these
occupational and personal groups is

not out of the question. After all, there
is already a general vaccination
requirement for other infections. For
example, the recently introduced
compulsory vaccination against
measles for certain groups of people
and industries," he continued.
However, at the moment, employers
cannot require their employees to be
vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2, as
this would interfere with the general
right of personal and physical integrity
protected by the German constitution.
If an employer threatened to impose
labour law-related consequences
without a legal basis, this would be
the criminal offence of coercion, said
Betz.
Legal and personal consequences
The Bavarian dentist is now facing
a criminal charge. The public
prosecutor's office is currently
investigating whether there is
sufficient evidence of a criminal
offence.
According to Donaukurier, "the
dentist and his staff are facing massive
hostility, especially on social media".
For this reason, the newspaper did not
state the dentist's name in its article.
- Dental Tribune International

[10] => DTI-PDF.FH10

10 DENTAL TRIBUNE Pakistan Edition JAN-FEB 2021

NEWS

Researchers scramble to understand new SARS-CoV-2 strains

L

By Jeremy Booth

EIPZIG, GERMANY - New variants of the
SARS-CoV-2 virus that emerged in the UK
and South Africa in 2020 show higher
transmissibility. And whereas they are thought not
to result in more serious disease or increased
morbidity, a leading US expert on public health
policy has emphasised that the higher rates of
infection resulting from the new strains will mean
more deaths. Scientists are scrambling to understand
the new variants, and they are concerned that the
mutations present in the South African strain may
pose complications for the efficacy of vaccines and
polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing.
The higher rates of transmissibility shown by the
new variants have led to them quickly becoming
dominant over other strains of the virus. First Minister
of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon said on 6 January that
the UK strain, known as B.1.1.7, was responsible
for around half of all new cases of SARS-CoV-2
infection in Scotland and that the number was rising.
The new variant that emerged in South Africa, known
as B.1.351, quickly became dominant in the areas
of the country most affected by the pandemic and
is thought to be behind a surge in new infections
that has surpassed the previous peak in daily cases
recorded in July.
Mutations lead to increased transmissibility
The variant B.1.1.7 has been circulating in the UK
since September and is thought to have begun thriving
in autumn when SARS-CoV-2 cases spiked in Kent
in south-western England. It has since been identified
in at least 45 countries, and a number of these have
recorded local transmission. According to tracking
website cov-lineages.org, local transmission of
B.1.1.7 outside of the UK had been reported in the
following countries by 8 January: the US, Denmark,
Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Israel, Italy, the
Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland,
Philippines, Romania and Slovakia. A 12 January
report by the Brussels Times said that the UK strain
was circulating in Belgium.
Like the B.1.1.7 strain in the UK, the B.1.351
variant is behind a substantial second wave of
infections in South Africa and has spread outside of
the country through international travel. So far, the
variant has been identified by laboratories and
researchers in the UK, Finland, Germany, Australia,
Switzerland, Japan, South Korea, Botswana and
Zambia. In the latter country, it is reported to have
become the dominant strain.
The UK and South African variants share a
mutation known as N501Y, which alters the receptorbinding domain of the spike protein of the virus
where it binds to host cells, making it more
transmissible. A December study by UK researchers,
which has not been peer reviewed, found that that
the UK variant is around 56% more transmissible
than previous variants of SARS-CoV-2. A subsequent
non-peer-reviewed UK study found a small but
statistically significant shift towards under 20s being
more affected by B.1.1.7 compared with other
known variants. It remains unclear how much more
transmissible the South African variant is
in comparison with other known strains of
SARS-CoV-2, but researchers are currently more

Both variants share the N501Y
mutation in the viral S gene which lies
in the receptor binding domain
(RBD)where the virus binds to the host
celland where vaccine-induced
antibodies bind to the virus

 Dr Julian W. Tang,
University of Leicester
New strains of the SARS-CoV-2 virus that emerged
in the UK and South Africa in 2020 are behind
substantial second waves of local infections and
have spread outside of the countries through
international travel.
(Image: Lightspring/Shutterstock)

concerned about the potential of the B.1.351 strain
to evade vaccines.
Will current vaccines work against new variants
of the virus?
Scientists are worried that the B.1.351 strain may
be resistant to currently available vaccines and that
it may also result in difficulties identifying positive
cases of SARS-CoV-2 through PCR testing.

Scientists are concerned that a strain of
SARS-CoV-2 that has emerged in South Africa may
have the potential to evade current vaccines.
(Image Numstocker/Shutterstock)

In January, Science Media Centre published
responses from scientists to questions from journalists
about the B.1.351 strain. Additional mutations found
in the variant were shown to be of concern. Dr Julian
W. Tang, honorary associate professor and clinical
virologist at the University of Leicester, explained
that B.1.351 differs from B.1.1.7 in a number of
ways which may lessen the effectiveness of vaccines.
He explained: Both variants share the N501Y
mutation in the viral S gene which lies in the receptor
binding domain (RBD)where the virus binds to
the host celland where vaccine-induced antibodies
bind to the virus. But the South African variant has
two more mutations E484K and K417Nin this
RBD region that are absent in the UK variant. These
two additional mutations may interfere more with
vaccine effectiveness in the South African variant
than in the UK variant.
Tang said: This does not mean that the existing
COVID-19 vaccines will not work at all, just that
the antibodies induced by the current vaccines may
not bind and neutralise the South African variant as
well as it would the other circulating viruses
including the UK variant.
Dr Simon Clarke, associate professor in cellular
microbiology at the University of Reading,
commented: While [the B.1.351 variant] is more
infectious, it currently remains unclear whether it

causes a more severe form of the disease. Moreover,
the South African variant is a more difficult virus
to track as it lacks some mutations in the spike found
in the Kent virus which make it easily detectable
by the PCR test used by the [UK National Health
Service].
The Telegraph reported that scientists are now
scrambling to undertake research on the efficacy of
current vaccines against the B.1.351 strain and are
investigating whether the strain poses an increased
risk of infection for people who have already been
infected with another SARS-CoV-2 strain.
Researchers in the USwhere local transmission
of B.1.1.7 has been identified in a number of states
found in a January study that immune responses
generated by currently available vaccines or previous
SARS-CoV-2 infections are unlikely to be evaded
by the strain. Our data suggest that the mutations
seen in the B.1.1.7 strain of SARS-CoV-2 would
not result in loss of dominant antibody responses to
linear spike glycoprotein and nucleoprotein epitopes
in the vast majority of our cohorts COVID patients,
read the study, which has not been peer reviewed.
Presently, dental associations in the UK and South
Africa have not provided updated guidance to
members concerning the new strains, and dental
clinics remain open in the two countries. In a
statement praising the decision to include dentists
in the first phase of the UKs national vaccination
strategy, Dr Raj Rattan, dental director at Dental
Protection, said that the B.1.1.7 strain increased the
risk of transmission in dental settings. The new
COVID-19 variant, which is 70% more
transmissible, poses a greater threat than ever before,
he said.
According to Dr Ashish Jha, dean of the Brown
School of Public Health, an increased infection rate
will result in significantly more deaths from the
virus. Jha said in a statement in January that the
B.1.1.7 variant is significantly more contagious
than previous variants, and he made reference to
a December study by UK researchers that estimated
that the variant was 4070% more infectious than
other strains. Jha wrote: We should expect, without
further action, that as the [B.1.1.7] strain takes hold,
we will see an additional ten million infections in
the US between now and end of February and during
that time, we could easily see an additional 100,000
to 150,000 deaths.
He added that the mRNA vaccines being produced
by Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna and the
adenovirus-vectored vaccines being produced by
Oxford/AstraZeneca and the Russian Federation
could be modified for effectiveness against the
B.1.351 variant in a matter of months.
- Dental Tribune International

[11] => DTI-PDF.FH10

JAN-FEB 2021 Pakistan Edition DENTAL TRIBUNE 11

Ministry urges early imposition ...
Continued from page 2

in the letter, adding this would also help boost tobacco
revenues.
The federal cabinet had decided to include provisions
of the Federal Health Levy Bill in the Finance Bill
2019 but this couldn't become part of it due to unknown
reasons.
The measures to check illegal manufacturing and
illicit trade of cigarettes and tobacco were also to be
incorporated in the Finance Bill.
Dr Sultan has now recommended to the Ministry
of Finance again to take immediate measures to lay
the Federal Health Levy Bill before the parliament at
an early date to get it passed.

Interview with Prof. Dr Khalid Almas
Continued from page 4

The primary focus of everyone is to master the
training of clinical skills to be good with their patients.
But when patients get treated, they go back home, they
forget about you.
The institution and regulatory body's role and, of
course, the individual, we are having a missing
connection between them to promote research culture.
There is no time to read and write because in Pakistan
everybody is so busy. So I think there should be a parttime faculty, and there should be a full faculty of
teachers dedicated and committed to the cause. And
the other thing is that we also lack the national mission
and vision of professional development and
advancement because resolving such issues are a
political decision in any country. And for anything to
achieve, we need finances. In my recent research, we
came across that only 2% population is generating
98% of the science, and 98% of the world population
are the consumers of that science.
Another factor is think is lack of industry partnerships
and also within institutions. They should be accountable
and check that researchers are publishing research that
is credible and ensure that. This is why international
acceptance of the journals is not very high, unfortunately
from the developing countries. Accountability and
transparency is another issue. At any workplace, we
have been working in a structured environment where
every time, every day, every month, we are being
monitored. There should be personal accountability
and personal transparency. When we go to bed at the
end of the day, we should realise that we haven't done
anything wrong. Once we have this type of feeling,
we can satisfy, and Allah will also help us.
DTP: Do you think there's a lack of a research
curriculum at the undergrad level, your comment?
DKA: There is a lack of a culture of research in
academia. We have a lot of uninitiated and very few
initiated clinician-scientist in Pakistan. I am not trying
to offend anyone, but I am just telling you the reality.
I remember in a program and asked those Post
Graduates (PGs) attendees which journal they read
last time, and no answered. Which journal did they go
through last year? No answer. Have they read anything
today? No answer. The PGs were even unaware of
their speciality journals. So that was the situation with
the pgs. So I asked the supervisors who were sitting
there and said, 'Yeh ziada time nai lagate' (They don't
spend much time). So I told him that it's your role; of
course, time is not to blame. All of us do not have
enough time wherever we are. So we should complain
less and work more.
The other thing is the lack of a conducive
environment. In many universities, faculties would
like to spend time on the tea party but no in scientific

discussions. It's a pity. But unfortunately, this type of
behaviour is very prevalent.
Due to a lack of research and supervision training,
our output at the national level is not accepted at the
international forum. The interest should be inculcated
at the grass-root level. Undergraduate students should
have it in their curriculum. Students are not graduated
in many countries until they don't produce a piece of
research, regardless of how small it is. I also feel that
people look down on the epidemiological data and
analyses. If you see the World Health Organisation
(WHO) website, you will notice that epidemiological
data's contribution is very few. So I think we have to
generate our data, we have to train our people.
I also feel that students should be connected with
the international dental students' association and be
exposed to students exchange programs to have early
exposure to research culture in other parts of the world.

Young faculty should not focus only on the promotion
of their publications. They should go for the quality.
They should try to promote Pakistani journals as well.
People should avoid self-citations, as well. It's a disease
and needs to be treated soon. Avoid quick pay and
quickly publish journals. Plan your projects and collab
with the others. Do not stress yourself on the sequence
of the authorship; ghost authorship is another issue. I
can say that we need to work on science and use time
efficiently. Please don't waste time on shows like
Ertugral though it's a good show indeed. Include others
that are lesser fortunate and bring them forward as
well. Gratitude can go a long way! I am praying that
may Allah bless my readers with success in their
endeavours, and that they are not included in 2% of
scientists, but 1% of scientists in the world.

DTP: Recommendations for Pakistani dentists during
COVID-19?
DKA: We cannot isolate ourselves from the rest of the
world. We are ultimately living in a global village. So,
in that situation, I think the role of the local regulatory
bodies becomes essential. Especially the bodies working
in-country need to have a consensus, and we can see
that mutual efforts have been made to make it happen.
Department of Health and regulatory bodies like the
Pakistan Dental Association, Pakistan Medical
Commission should also see. But it's a pity that quackery
issues are still not resolved, so we can't expect much
from them as infection control is still a problem. Above
all, the general population's compliance needs to be
ensured by spreading the message through TV shows
and awareness programs. By having said all this, I
believe that there should be enforced, and if you saw
in many of the countries those who have higher
fatalities, there was a defiance of the population. I can
give you an example of China, where they controlled
it very well compared to Western Democratic Countries.
Such countries are suffering because of stubbornness.
All these factors play a significant role, and Pakistan
stands somewhere in between as a nation. We are still
sitting on the fence where half of the population follows
COVID Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and
half are not. Then there are conspiracy theories
circulating, which are further confusing more than
98% of the population.

Prof. Dr Moghees A Baig, Dean and Principal, Head
of Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery,
UCMD was the workshop's operating surgeon. He
highlighted the various steps and new inclusions to
the SOPs for performing minor oral surgical
procedures during the COVID-19 pandemic. He also
demonstrated techniques that help a dentist stay safe
and to provide a risk-free environment for the
patient. -PR

DTP: Any last messages for young dental students?
DKA: I will tell them to be honest to themselves and
their parents and family for the students. Respect your
teachers, respect your parents. If we see in the recent
past in Pakistan, the young doctors' associations have
been labelled as mulligans, you know. Their behaviour
is not termed as professionals. So, whatever the reason
for their actions and many other organisations, I think
they should remain professional. They should not lose
their professional integrity in the eyes of the general
masses. They should never stop learning and should
keep on learning every day. Read, Observe and Assist
and then do it-a Continuous Professional Development
for the faculty and the teachers. Once one achieves
academic rank such as that of Professor etc. is not part
of lifetime achievement. They should be evaluated and
monitored and regulated. The promotion based on a
scientific contribution only should not be appreciated.
It has to be seen as how much professional development
is added every time. Students should also set their
priorities and goals, both on a long term and short term
basis.
Those faculty members in the publication board
convey my message that they should publish and perish.

Expert highlights ways to ...
Continued from page 6

ZU puts spotlight on essentials ...
Continued from page 6

Strict Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) were
maintained, and participants' registration s were
limited, citing physical distancing. The participants
were then encouraged to use the software and work
around it. The participants provided encouraging and
very positive feedback for the session. -PR

Top achievers in price ...
Continued from page 8

Director General, BUMDC presented the students'
awards. The ceremony was also graced by Dr Ambreen
Usmani, Principal and Dean, Medical Section,
BUMDC, Prof. Dr Wahab Kadri, Principal, Dental
Section, BUMDC and Prof. Dr Kulsoom Fatima Rizvi,
Vice Principal, Dental Section, BUMDC.
The winners included Hafiza Amna Khalid and
Zobia Batool from First Year BDS, Areeba Aurangzeb
and Dua Saleem from the Second Years BDS, Fatima
Zahra and Nabshah Saleem from Third Years
BDS. The winners received awards of Rs 100, 000/and 75,000/- for first and second positions
respectively. -PR

AIDM faculty completes ...
Continued from page 8

CHPE 2020 from all the leading medical and dental
colleges of Karachi, the first three positions were
secured by the faculty of AIDM. First position secured
by Prof. Dr Hasnain Sakrani, the second position by
Dr Maria Ghani and third position Dr Batool Sajjad
and Dr Maria Shakoor Abbasi. -PR

BUMDC bids farewell to ...
Continued from page 8

Prof. Dr Kulsoom Fatima Rizvi, Vice Principal,
BUMDC, and all senior faculty members in the faculty
lounge.
Dr Sameera served at Bahria Dental College
for almost four years with a diligent and
responsible attitude. She was acknowledged for her
outstanding efforts and awarded with a token of
appreciation. -PR

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[cover] => DT Pakistan No. 1, 2021

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Table of contents

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News / Interview

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