A Rare Synchronous Existence of Warthin’s Tumour and Oral Cancer: A systematic review

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is one of the most common malignancies worldwide while Warthin’s tumor (WT) is a common type of benign salivary gland neoplasm mostly seen in the parotid gland but rarely involves extra parotid tissues. Extra parotid WT is itself a rare entity and its synchronous occurrence with OSCC is an unusual phenomenon. It is vital to accurately identify the pathology as confusion may arise due to its rare occurrence and an intriguing presentation of resembling metastasis in lymph nodes. In the present review, a systematic literature search was performed and case reports and series in which synchronous existence of WT and OSCC were included. Total 13 papers have been included with 17 cases of synchronous WT and OSCC. Quality assessment for cases was done based on the CARE guidelines. The given results describe the histological features and site of WT in individuals who also had OSCC. Most of the studies described the histological findings of WT, which were seen involving the lymph nodes. More than 50% of the included cases had a history of tobacco chewing or smoking. The cases that have reported for follow up showed no evidence of any recurrence. WT with OSCC synchronous occurrence at a different site from the primary tumor can mimic a metastatic lesion from a primary lesion. It is a diagnostic challenge and could alter the management of these patients if not identified accurately. Awareness about this synchronous occurrence can avoid the overtreatment in such cases. Majority of the WTs described were seen in cervical lymph nodes. Keywords: Oral cancer; Warthin tumor; Benign Neoplasm; Mixed salivary gland tumor; Synchronous neoplasm; metastasis; Second malignancy; Prognosis

A Study Among General Dental Practitioners, Orthodontists and Forensic Odontologists Regarding Forensic Identification in Orthodontic Context

The process of dental identification involves comparing the dentition of the deceased with the latest dental records of presumed dead. It may become challenging to identify an individual whose orthodontic treatment records are untraceable for any reason. In such instances the dentition of the dead who underwent orthodontic treatment may need to be compared with the records before orthodontic treatment. The goal of this study was to determine the accuracy of matching pre and post-orthodontic treatment casts among general dental practitioners (GDPs), orthodontists, and forensic odontologists. Pre and post-orthodontic treatment dental casts from ten patients were used in this study. Pre-orthodontic maxillary and mandibular dental casts were separated from post-orthodontic maxillary and mandibular dental casts. A total of fifteen assessors comprising five orthodontists, five forensic odontologists and five GDPs compared and matched the pre and post-orthodontic dental cast pairs. Results revealed higher correct matches among forensic odontologists (94%) as compared to orthodontists (88%) followed by GDPs (80%). Among the parameters, ‘specific features in the dentition’ were most successful at correct identification. Orthodontic therapy causes morphometric changes in the dentition, which can make comparative identification difficult. Unique features in the dentition present before orthodontic treatment and persistent even after orthodontic treatment such as peculiar attrition facets, etc. can prove highly accurate in the identification

Impact of telehealth interventions on physiological and psychological outcomes in breast cancer survivors: A meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials

IntroductionThe use of telehealth interventions has been evaluated in different perspectives in women and also supported with various clinical trials, but its overall efficacy is still ascertained. The objective of the present review is to identify, appraise and analyze randomized controlled trials on breast cancer survivors who have participated in technology-based intervention programs incorporating a wide range of physical and psychological outcome measures.Material and methodsWe conducted electronic search of the literature during last twenty years i.e., from 2001 till August 10, 2021 through four databases. Standardized mean difference with 95% confidence interval was used.ResultsA total of 56 records were included in the qualitative and 28 in quantitative analysis. Pooled results show that telehealth interventions were associated with improved quality of life (SMD 0.48, 95% CI 0.03 to 0.92, p=0.04), reduced depression (SMD -1.27, 95% CI =-2.43 to -0.10 p=0.03), low distress and less perceived stress (SMD -0.40, 95% CI =-0.68 to -0.12, p=0.005). However, no significant differences were observed on weight change (SMD -0.27, 95% CI =-2.39 to 1.86, p=0.81) and anxiety scores (SMD -0.09, 95% CI =-0.20 to 0.02, p=0.10) between the two groups. Improvement in health care competence and fitness among participants was also reported.ConclusionStudy concludes that telehealth care is a quick, convenient and assuring approach to breast cancer care in women that can reduce treatment burden and subsequent disturbance to the lives of breast cancer survivors

Ultraviolet disinfection (UV-D) robots: bridging the gaps in dentistry

Maintaining a microbe-free environment in healthcare facilities has become increasingly crucial for minimizing virus transmission, especially in the wake of recent epidemics like COVID-19. To meet the urgent need for ongoing sterilization, autonomous ultraviolet disinfection (UV-D) robots have emerged as vital tools. These robots are gaining popularity due to their automated nature, cost advantages, and ability to instantly disinfect rooms and workspaces without relying on human labor. Integrating disinfection robots into medical facilities reduces infection risk, lowers conventional cleaning costs, and instills greater confidence in patient safety. However, UV-D robots should complement rather than replace routine manual cleaning. To optimize the functionality of UV-D robots in medical settings, additional hospital and device design modifications are necessary to address visibility challenges. Achieving seamless integration requires more technical advancements and clinical investigations across various institutions. This mini-review presents an overview of advanced applications that demand disinfection, highlighting their limitations and challenges. Despite their potential, little comprehensive research has been conducted on the sterilizing impact of disinfection robots in the dental industry. By serving as a starting point for future research, this review aims to bridge the gaps in knowledge and identify unresolved issues. Our objective is to provide an extensive guide to UV-D robots, encompassing design requirements, technological breakthroughs, and in-depth use in healthcare and dentistry facilities. Understanding the capabilities and limitations of UV-D robots will aid in harnessing their potential to revolutionize infection control practices in the medical and dental fields

Workforce planning and distribution for universal oral health coverage: An Indian perspective

On the global picture India is a fast growing nation with an equally growing population. The dental workforce has grown in the absence of any specific design or policy planning, resulting in an oversupply of dentists in urban areas. The inverse ratio of dentist to population is a major setback especially in the rural areas. Proper distribution of available manpower is the need of the hour. The challenges are many, but they can be overcome with strong consensus and implementation through upstream approaches

India's Union Budget 2023—Healthcare allocation leaves much to be desired

Healthcare is an imperative sector for India, considering the huge population in the country and the sub-par health facilities available to a majority of the country's people. In this scenario, and given the havoc wreaked by the COVID-19 pandemic, owing to India's lack of optimal healthcare infrastructure, a large part of the healthcare industry expected that India's Union Budget 2023 would provide significant outlays for the sector. However, with the budgetary outlay for healthcare coming in at the 10th position from the top, this hope was severely dashed, leading to questions about the country's interest in providing healthcare facilities to its people. This article discusses the various facets of the Union Budget, and the lack of focus on healthcare, while also delineating the reasons why budgetary focus on healthcare is imperative for a developing country like India. It has also brought forth potential solutions, such as a public–private partnership in healthcare, which could ensure increased access to healthcare, improved quality of healthcare, reduced costs, and enhanced innovation and research

An Analysis of Work-Related Stress Using Smart Devices: A Preliminary Study

Nowadays, many people are forced to accelerate their rhythms because of frenetic life and work. Both private and professional lives intertwine, and finding the time for other activities is challenging. Time is one of the goods that has been lost or is difficult to obtain anyway. This experimental and prospective study aims to evaluate the heart rate cycle of medical doctors during their life/work routine. Thanks to technology, it is possible to monitor these parameters constantly. The results of this study are derived from a literature analysis and a trial carried out on three professionals regarding their work-related heart rate (Apple Watch®). The main limitation is represented by the sample; it is certainly small and does not provide significant results. This study represents the first step for a trial that can be carried out on a large scale; this preliminary study provides information about the heart rate cycle

Digital Innovations in Pneumonia Care: A Mini Review

Introduction: Pneumonia is a severe respiratory disease threatening public health and requires timely and accurate diagnosis and early intervention for effective treatment. The emergence of telemedicine during COVID-19 has offered new solutions to solve health problem. This review examines recent studies focusing on effectiveness of telemedicine intervention in pneumonia care. Methods: We systematically searched five databases to retrieve original research that addressed telemedicine's use in pneumonia diagnosis, treatment, monitoring, or patient assistance. Two independent reviewers performed screening to confirm alignment with inclusion criteria. The findings were synthesised narratively. Results: A total of five studies were included in the review. The interventions across studies were telephonic follow-ups, Smartphone-based algorithm for diagnosing pneumonia, telemedicine set-up at patients' homes and Interactive videoconferencing.  The findings suggest that telephone consultation is effective for patients with low-risk respiratory infections and may be more effective in early diagnosis of pneumonia patients. Conclusion: The planning for work in telemedicine, whether in regulations or private practice, is necessary to ensure the quality, safety, and consistency of telemedicine practices. The use and availability of telemedicine services, especially in rural areas and on mobile phones, must be expanded to reduce problems in the region

A Comprehensive Evaluation of Zirconia-Reinforced Glass Ionomer Cement’s Effectiveness in Dental Caries: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis

Dental cements are in a constant state of evolution, adapting to better align with the intricacies of tooth structure and the dynamic movements within the oral cavity. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of zirconia-reinforced glass ionomer cement—an innovative variant of modified glass ionomer cements—in terms of its ability to withstand compressive forces and prevent microleakage during dental caries reconstruction. An extensive search was conducted across various databases, encompassing PubMed-MEDLINE, Scopus, Embase, Google Scholar, prominent journals, unpublished studies, conference proceedings, and cross-referenced sources. The selected studies underwent meticulous scrutiny according to predetermined criteria, followed by the assessment of quality and the determination of evidence levels. In total, 16 studies were incorporated into this systematic review and network meta-analysis (NMA). The findings suggest that both compomer and giomer cements exhibit greater compressive strength and reduced microleakage values than zirconia-reinforced glass ionomer cement. In contrast, resin-modified glass ionomer cement (RMGIC) and high-viscosity glass ionomer cement (GIC) demonstrate less favorable performance in these regards when compared with zirconia-reinforced glass ionomer cement

Comparison of effectiveness of quad helix appliance with other slow maxillary expanders in children with posterior crossbite: A systematic review

Objective: The present review was conducted to compare the effectiveness of Quad Helix (QH) appliance with other slow maxillary expanders in children with posterior crossbite. Materials and Methods: Randomized controlled clinical trials and retrospective studies published between January 1, 1995, and December 31, 2016, were identified from MEDLINE, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, the National Institutes of Health Trials, Clinical Trials Registry India, Google Scholar and major journals. After a comprehensive search, the articles were independently screened for eligibility by two reviewers. All cross-reference lists of the selected studies were screened for any additional papers. Results: The preliminary screening consisted of 608 articles, of which 33 articles were selected. A final total of only 9 articles were included as they met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Of the nine papers, four articles clearly state that QH appliance was a more effective appliance, while the remaining five studies suggest that the maxillary expansion caused by QH is comparable to other slow maxillary expansion appliances. Of the nine included articles, four articles also describe the complications of QH in comparison to other slow maxillary expansion devices. Conclusion: The QH appliance is a viable alternative for the correction of posterior crossbite. The QH appliance is comparable to or even better than other slow maxillary expanders in terms of maxillary expansion while being cost-effective with very few complications