Patterns in Oral Hygiene and Dietary Habits in School Children during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Aim: To assess oral hygiene and dietary patterns in school children participating in a school-based preventive oral health program during the COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and methods: In this cross-sectional study, an anonymous questionnaire exploring oral hygiene and dietary patterns during the COVID-19 pandemic was completed by parents of school children. Data were compared among different schools, school years, and between genders using nonparametric tests. Associations among further nominal and categorical variables related to oral hygiene and dietary habits were also assessed using the chi-square test. Results: Only 26% (n = 32) of parents reported that their children brushed their teeth the recommended amount of twice or more per day during the pandemic. In addition, 17.2% of the parents reported less brushing than before the pandemic. A total of 40 parents (32.8%) reported that their child consumed unhealthy beverages once a day or more. Comparison between genders revealed that male participants were drinking significantly unhealthier than female (p = 0.038). Sugary foods were consumed once a day or more by 63.1% of children. No significant differences were found between public and church schools. Significant direct associations were found between changes in dietary habits and brushing frequency (p = 0.017), between parental concern regarding the interruption of the school program and decreased brushing frequency (p = 0.005), and negative changes in dietary habits (p = 0.013). Clinical significance: Within the limitations of this study, the present significant findings observed during the pandemic support the importance of school programs in promoting oral hygiene and healthy dietary habits of children. © The Author(s). 2023 Oorg/licenses/by-nc/4.0.

Provision of regional and national library and museum services in Chile during the health crisis due to COVID-19

The unforeseen spread of COVID-19, since the beginning of 2020, has caused alarming effects worldwide, causing the suspension of various economic, social and cultural activities, including library and museum services. Libraries and museums in Chile had to close their doors, as a state of emergency was decreed in the country and they entered a period of mandatory confinement. This scenario has generated modifications in the delivery of digital services in libraries and museums in order to continue in contact with their users. The purpose of this research is to analyze the provision of services of national and regional libraries and museums in Chile from March 15 to July 15, 2020 in the context of the health crisis. For this purpose, information is collected through a survey, which was answered by 23 representatives of these organizations. The main findings show that libraries and museums faced adversity by making a change in the modality of delivery of their services. These types of institutions migrated to digital platforms with an important use of social networks for the development of their activities. The institutions made a good evaluation of the adaptation of their services;although not without complexities, regarding communication with the public and network connectivity. The initiative of the professionals to maintain the link with their communities stands out. © 2022, Centro Nacional de Informacion de Ciencias Medicas. All rights reserved.

Clinical relevance of Digital Dentistry during COVID-19 outbreak: a scoped review

Aim: To perform a scoped literature review on advantages of digital workflows in dentistry that could be widely adopted to address safety issues raised during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Methods: Recent studies on any advantages of digital dentistry – as compared to conventional methods – that could help addressing the new safety demands for dental treatments that emerged due to the current pandemic were included. PUBMED, Embase, and Web of Knowledge databases were searched for eligible articles published in the last five years. The guidelines of PRISMA statement were followed during data extraction and evaluation. Results: The present search strategy yielded 181 publications. After application of exclusion criteria, a total of 34 studies were finally considered eligible to be discussed. Among the most important advantages of digital dentistry that contribute to safety during the current pandemic are: reduced number of clinical appointments required, shorter chairside time, less invasive surgeries and safer procedures. Conclusion: Within the limitations of this study, the findings observed herein suggest that the use of digital workflows in dentistry could lead to increased safety and reduced transmission of COVID-19 during the current pandemic. © 2020. All Rights Reserved.

Use of free CAD software for 3D printing individualized face masks based on face scans

AIM: To describe a method of digitally customizing 3D-printed face mask designs using 3D face scans and free software. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The procedure of creating customized face masks initially involved importing and aligning STL files of face scans and mask components in free CAD software. The imported mask described in this article is composed of three different STL files (body, filter structure, and grid). The body of the mask was then edited to fit precisely into the face scan STL by using the software's offset tool, followed by adjustments and smoothening of the surfaces of the edges. The resulting customized body of the mask plus the filter and grid STL files were exported and 3D printed with polylactic acid (PLA) filament using a fused deposition modeling (FDM) 3D printer. For the purposes of comparison, a conventional 3D-printed mask (from the original STL files, without being customized for the face scan) was also 3D printed from the original STL files. Both face masks were tested on the same two volunteers. RESULTS: The customized 3D-printed face mask presented a higher adaptation compared with the conventional face mask. The area of facial contact matched the one digitally designed in the software. The 3D-printed grid could clip exactly into the filter, which in turn could be precisely screwed into the body of the face mask. CONCLUSION: Within the limitations of this technical report, the present findings suggest that customized 3D-printed face masks with enhanced adaptation can be digitally designed using face scans and free CAD software.