A Review on COVID-19 Mediated Impacts and Risk Mitigation Strategies for Dental Health Professionals

AbstractIn the light of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), dentistry is facing unprecedented challenges. The closure of clinics has impacted dental health professionals (DHPs) not only financially but also psychologically. In this review, these consequences are discussed in detail to highlight the challenges that DHPs are facing thus far, in both developing and developed nations. Compromised mental health among DHPs is an important area that requires attention during this difficult period. Although, in previous pandemics, dentists have not worked on the frontline, the article discusses how their wide range of skillsets can be leveraged if another wave of COVID-19 pandemic appears. Finally, guidelines to reopen clinics and patient management have been discussed in detail that could serve as a quick reference guide for DHPs

Knowledge, Attitude and Perceived Confidence in Handling Medical Emergencies among Dental Practitioners in Dakshina Kannada, India

Abstract Introduction: Medical Emergencies may arise on the dental chair despite efforts to minimize them. Lack of training and inability to cope with these can lead to tragic consequences. Aims: The aim of this study was to assess the perceived level of competency among dental practitioners in handling medical emergencies. Materials and Methods: A structured survey consisting of 13 questions pertaining to knowledge, attitude and perceived confidence of dental practitioners in handling medical emergencies was developed, and 282 dental practitioners holding at least a Bachelor of Dental Surgery degree and practicing in Dakshin Kannada district, Karnataka, India were approached. Statistical analysis used: The data collected was tabulated and analysed by using the Epi-info version 5.0 and Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 17.0. The results were expressed in terms of proportion, chi-square test, odds ratio and its 95% confidence interval were applied for comparison purpose, a p-value<0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Results: Over 70% of the specialists responded that they record medical history and follow the universal precaution guidelines. Training as well as perceived confidence of most dentists was statistically low in administering Cardio-Pulmonary-Resuscitation, intravenous drugs and Heimlich maneuver. The training and perceived confidence was highest for measuring blood pressure and managing syncope. Conclusions: Dentists do have a gap in their knowledge, awareness and practice; hence a curriculum related to handling medical emergency should be enforced in dentistry to provide safe healthcare

Antifungal effectiveness of various intracanal medicaments against Candida albicans: an ex-vivo study

BACKGROUND: To investigate the antifungal activity of propolis, triple antibiotic paste (TAP), 2% chlorhexidine gel and calcium hydroxide with propylene glycol on Candida albicans-infected root canal dentinal tubules at two different depths (200 μm and 400 μm) and two time intervals (day 1 and 7). METHODS: A total of 90 extracted human teeth were sectioned below the cementoenamel junction and the apical part of the root to obtain 6 mm of the middle third of the root. The root canal was enlarged to an internal diameter of 0.9 mm using Pesso Reamer size no. 2 (Mani®, UT, Japan), followed by canal irrigation and autoclaved. The specimens were infected for 21 days with C. albicans. Then, the specimens were divided into five groups prior to placement of intracanal medicaments. Group 1 (propolis), Group 2 (triple antibiotic paste), Group 3 (2% chlorhexidine Gel), Group 4 (calcium hydroxide with propylene glycol), and Group 5 (sterile saline as negative control). At the end of 1 and 7 days, dentine shavings were collected at two depths into the dentinal tubules (200 μm and 400 μm), and the total numbers of colony forming units were calculated for assessing the remaining vital viable fungal population. The values were analysed statistically using non-paramatric Kruskal-Wallis and Mann–Whitney-U tests to compare the median reduction of Candida albicans between all intracanal medicaments. Probability values of P < 0.05 were set as the reference for statistically significant results. RESULTS: The reduction in number of colony forming units was statistically significant in all groups compared to the control group (sterile saline), except propolis at day 1 (400 μm depth). CONCLUSION: Propolis was less effective than triple antibiotic paste, 2% chlorhexidine gel and calcium hydroxide with propylene glycol against C. albicans on day 1 at 400 μm deep inside the dentinal tubules, but equally effective after 7 days at both depths

Factors associated with the technical quality of root canal fillings performed by undergraduate dental students in a Malaysian Dental School

Aim: A retrospective clinical audit was carried out on records of endodontic treatment performed by dental undergraduates. The audit was performed to evaluate the technical quality of root canal fillings performed by dental undergraduates and determine the associated factors. Methods: 140 records of patients who had received root canal treatment by dental undergraduates were evaluated through periapical radiographs by two examiners (κ =0.74). The root canal fillings had their quality evaluated according to extent, condensation and presence of procedural mishap. Possible factors associated with technical quality such as tooth type, canal curvature, student level and quality of record keeping were evaluated. Data were statistically analyzed using chi-square test (p&lt;0.05). Results: Among the 140 root-filled teeth, acceptable extent, condensation and no-mishap were observed in 72.1%, 66.4% and 77.9% cases respectively. Overall, the technical quality of 68 (48.6%) root-filled teeth was considered acceptable. Overall, non-acceptable root canal fillings were significantly more likely to be observed in molars (69.2%), moderately and severely curved canals (71.4%) and junior students (61.5%). There was no association between acceptable root canal fillings and quality of record keeping. Conclusions: The technical quality of root canal fillings was acceptable in 48.6% cases and it was associated with tooth type, degree of canal curvature and student seniority

Curcumin-photosensitized nanocapsules: biocompatibility and antimicrobial evaluation in primary tooth dentin contaminated with Streptococcus mutans

IntroductionDental caries is a multifactorial disease with high prevalence, particularly in vulnerable populations, where Streptococcus mutans contributes to lesion progression via acid production and biofilm formation. Minimally invasive strategies, such as photodynamic therapy (PDT) combined with advanced delivery systems, offer promising alternatives for caries management.MethodsZein-based nanocapsules loaded with curcumin (Nano-curcumin) were synthesized via nanoprecipitation and characterized for encapsulation efficiency, particle size, polydispersity, zeta potential, morphology, and curcumin release. Biocompatibility was assessed using rabbit oral mucosal cells via MTT and trypan blue assays. Antimicrobial efficacy was tested in vitro on primary dentin slices contaminated with S. mutans across four groups: Nano-curcumin, Nano-curcumin + PDT, diode laser, and untreated control. Colony-forming units (CFU) were quantified after treatment. Statistical analysis was performed using ANOVA and Tukey’s test (p &lt; 0.05).ResultsNano-curcumin demonstrated high encapsulation efficiency (~100%), spherical morphology, low polydispersity (0.108), and favorable colloidal stability, with sustained curcumin release over 24 hours. Cytotoxicity assays showed &gt;50% cell viability at 100 μg·mL⁻¹ and ~80% at intermediate concentrations (50–75 µg·mL-¹). Both curcumin nanocapsules and their photosensitized versions significantly reduced S. mutans CFU compared to controls (p &lt; 0.05), with PDT-enhanced nanocapsules showing the greatest reduction, though not statistically different from non-photosensitized nanocapsules.DiscussionCurcumin-loaded zein nanocapsules are biocompatible and effective against S. mutans, with controlled release properties. Photodynamic activation further enhances antimicrobial activity, supporting their potential as a minimally invasive approach for managing carious lesions, particularly in pediatric dentistry. This strategy integrates a natural photosensitizer with a biodegradable polymeric matrix, providing a safe and innovative alternative for caries control

Observation of γγ → ττ in proton-proton collisions and limits on the anomalous electromagnetic moments of the τ lepton

The production of a pair of τ leptons via photon–photon fusion, γγ → ττ, is observed for the f irst time in proton–proton collisions, with a significance of 5.3 standard deviations. This observation is based on a data set recorded with the CMS detector at the LHC at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV and corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 138 fb−1. Events with a pair of τ leptons produced via photon–photon fusion are selected by requiring them to be back-to-back in the azimuthal direction and to have a minimum number of charged hadrons associated with their production vertex. The τ leptons are reconstructed in their leptonic and hadronic decay modes. The measured fiducial cross section of γγ → ττ is σfid obs = 12.4+3.8 −3.1 fb. Constraints are set on the contributions to the anomalous magnetic moment (aτ) and electric dipole moments (dτ) of the τ lepton originating from potential effects of new physics on the γττ vertex: aτ = 0.0009+0.0032 −0.0031 and |dτ| &lt; 2.9×10−17ecm (95% confidence level), consistent with the standard model

Measurements of the Electroweak Diboson Production Cross Sections in Proton-Proton Collisions at root s=5.02 TeV Using Leptonic Decays

The first measurements of diboson production cross sections in proton-proton interactions at a center-of-mass energy of 5.02 TeV are reported. They are based on data collected with the CMS detector at the LHC, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 302 pb(-1). Events with two, three, or four charged light leptons (electrons or muons) in the final state are analyzed. The WW, WZ, and ZZ total cross sections are measured as sigma(WW) = 37:0(-5.2)(+5.5) (stat)(-2.6)(+2.7) (syst) pb, sigma(WZ) = 6.4(-2.1)(+2.5) (stat)(-0.3)(+0.5)(syst) pb, and sigma(ZZ) = 5.3(-2.1)(+2.5)(stat)(-0.4)(+0.5) (syst) pb. All measurements are in good agreement with theoretical calculations at combined next-to-next-to-leading order quantum chromodynamics and next-to-leading order electroweak accuracy

Search for lepton-flavor violating decays of the Higgs boson in the mu tau and e tau final states in proton-proton collisions at root s=13 TeV

A search is presented for lepton-flavor violating decays of the Higgs boson to mu t and et. The dataset corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 137 fb(-1) collected at the LHC in proton-proton collisions at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV. No significant excess has been found, and the results are interpreted in terms of upper limits on lepton-flavor violating branching fractions of the Higgs boson. The observed (expected) upper limits on the branching fractions are, respectively, B(H -> mu t) e tau) < 0.22(0.16)% at 95% confidence level.Peer reviewe

Probing effective field theory operators in the associated production of top quarks with a Z boson in multilepton final states at root s=13 TeV

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