The Effect of COVID-19 on Orthodontic Treatment Demand and its Delivery in India

Introduction: The ongoing pandemic has transformed the entire structural and functional framework of the world including the medical and dental healthcare services. The current study intends to examine the pattern of dynamically changing working conditions and orthodontic treatment delivery during the various phases of pandemic. Method: An online survey was conducted using Google form for orthodontic specialists practicing in India. Information regarding the impact of the pandemic on various aspects like patient turnover, treatment demand, clinical management, and new challenges faced were analysed through a self?designed close?ended questionnaire for two phases. Phase I (March 2020 to September 2020) corresponded to the onset of COVID 19 pandemic and lockdown, whereas the Phase II (October 2020 to March 2021) coincided with the time of Unlock and resumption of activities thereafter. Results: The parameters showing similar trend in Phases I and II included the willingness of ongoing orthodontic patients to report for appointments, choice of treatment modality, number and type of emergencies, cost of materials, guidelines for work, and duration of non?delivery of orthodontic procedures. The new patients reporting, complex orthodontic therapy, tele?consultation, and financial wellbeing showed an improvement while the usage of personal protective equipment kit, fear amongst orthodontists reduced in Phase II. Conclusions: Challenging situations warrant prudent measures to combat and continue the essential services, especially those related to the healthcare. A detailed analysis of the various phases of the ongoing pandemic will enable us to devise suitable measures to ensure uninterrupted orthodontic treatment even in such critical times.

Evaluation of two-dimensional and three-dimensional radiography with direct surgical assessment of periodontal osseous defects: A clinical Study.

Aim: To compare the diagnostic values of radiovisiograph (RVG) and computed tomography (CT) images in comparison with direct surgical measurements for the determination of periodontal bone loss. Materials and Methods: Thirty‑one vertical defects were included for direct measurements during surgery with a periodontal probe. RVG and CT images were taken prior to the surgery. Similar measurements were done on their images and compared with the direct surgical values. Results: Mean difference (in mm) of RVG and CT scan in vertical defects, and intrabony component was 0.814, 0.474 and 0.073, 0.066 respectively. Intra class correlation of CT scan (0.997 and 0.990) was highest with the smallest length of 95% confidence interval. CT scan furthermore depicted maximum agreement with the surgical value. CT scan overestimated in the maximum percentage of sites in vertical defects. CT scan outscored over RVG in evaluation of the osseous defects. Conclusions: CT scan demonstrated more precise and clinically useful images of the osseous defects closer to the gold standard.

Prevalence of dental caries and treatment needs amongst the school children of three educational zones of urban Delhi, India.

Context : Dental caries is the most common oral disease that affects significant number of Indian population. The prevalence of caries in India is reported 31.5% to 89%. Aims : T0 his study was aimed to estimate the prevalence of dental caries and treatment needs in school going children of Delhi. Materials and Methods : A0 school based cross-sectional study was conducted in various educational zones of Delhi. A total of 520 school children in age range of 9-12 years were examined using WHO (1997) criteria. Statistical Analysis Used : C0 hi-square test. Results : T0 he prevalence of dental caries was found to be 52.3% with mean deft and DMFT of 0.5038 ± 1.0859 and 0.8250 ± 1.3437, respectively. Besides various treatment needs 49.7% required restorative treatment. Conclusion : T0 he prevalence of dental caries in Delhi school children is high with D+d components comprising of more than 95%. This indicates lack of awareness and affordability to the dental facilities available. Therefore, there is a need to develop preventive and promotional oral health strategies to combat this infectious disease.