A comparison of academic and clinical assessments between endodontic residents receiving in-person versus virtual instruction.

OBJECTIVES: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all modes of instruction were moved to virtual teaching for the matriculating endodontic residents at Boston University (BU) School of Dental Medicine (2020-2021). As dentistry is a very hands-on profession, the switch to virtual teaching comes with its own issues of concept retention, zoom fatigue, and limited interaction/lack of engagement between residents and faculty. There has already been a steady decline in the attendance of live lectures by medical and dental students, with students underscoring the ease of watching online lectures/recorded lectures and learning at their own pace. METHODS: This study took a mixed method observational research approach, with one group receiving the standard in-person (IP) teaching the previous year, and the other group receiving the new intervention of virtual teaching the subsequent year via the zoom platform. The two groups received the same curriculum in its entirety. End-of-semester written and oral exams were compared between the two cohorts along with their clinical assessment forms. One focus group was conducted individually with each class for the qualitative portion of this study. RESULTS: The class of residents receiving IP instruction scored higher in both written and oral components of the end-of-semester exam. There was no statistically significant difference between the groups in their clinical performance and both groups improved in their exams and clinical performance over time. Focus groups highlighted themes emphasizing the importance of social connectedness and interactions, engagement, individual learning styles and motivating factors, zoom fatigue, and the need for a hybrid model of education. CONCLUSIONS: Although there was a difference in an exam performance of residents receiving IP versus virtual instruction, there was no impact on their clinical performance. However, subjectively, the lack of social connectedness impacted the overall learning experience.

Differential attitudes and outcomes of endodontics education between mainland and non-mainland chinese students during COVID-19 pandemic.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the learning style and campus life of dental students. This study aimed to evaluate the learning attitudes and outcomes of endodontics among mainland Chinese students and non-mainland Chinese students (students from Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan) during the pandemic. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in November 2022 at the School of Stomatology, Jinan University, utilizing a self-report online questionnaire, including demographic characteristics and attitudes toward the endodontic course and the COVID-19 pandemic. The endodontics scores were collected from recruited students for further analysis. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS 22.0 software, with independent two-sample t-tests to compare continuous variables and chi-square tests for categorical variables. RESULTS: A total of 215 dental students completed the survey, with 126 (58.6%) of them being non-mainland Chinese students. Compared to mainland Chinese students, non-mainland Chinese students had lower scores in both theoretical (63.6 ± 13.5 vs. 83.2 ± 8.00) and skill (88.4 ± 5.38 vs. 90.0 ± 4.91) endodontic assessments. Non-mainland Chinese students reported significantly greater impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on their learning emotions, personal hygiene, and future career choices compared to mainland Chinese students. CONCLUSIONS: Non-mainland Chinese students had poorer academic performance in endodontics and experienced a greater impact from the COVID-19 pandemic in terms of their studies and lives. Dental educators should consider the diversity of students and take necessary measures to support their mental health and enhance learning outcomes in the post-COVID-19 era.

Acupuncture for Management of Endodontic Emergencies: a Review.

Root canal treatment (RCT) employed for painful endodontic conditions like apical periodontitis and irreversible pulpitis is associated with a high incidence of postoperative pain. Pharmacological management for this purpose is effective, but not entirely free from side effects and in some cases may fail to provide adequate relief. Furthermore, concerns have been raised regarding the transmission of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) as a result of the aerosols generated and prolonged chair side time required for RCT. Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese therapy commonly employed as an alternative for the treatment of pain. And what's more, the use of acupuncture has been recently reported as treatment for the management of endodontic pain as well as on the anesthetic success in patients with irreversible pulpitis. This review aims to evaluate the current evidence for acupuncture in endodontics and its potential role in emergency pain relief and management for patients. To combat this, a thorough search for literature within the field was performed in five electronic databases. Retrieved studies were screened according to the pre-defined eligibility criteria. After both an electronic and manual search, five studies were selected for review. These studies reported the beneficial effects of acupuncture in reducing the failure of nerve block in patients with irreversible pulpitis and in controlling both intraoperative and postoperative pain following RCT. In addition, it was also reported to reduce anxiety surrounding the dental procedure and minimized the intake of analgesics after the endodontic procedure, which can result in some unwanted side effects. However, more in depth clinical research is required before any recommendation regarding the application of acupuncture in endodontic patients can be made.

Assessment of Endodontic Emergency Care in a COVID-19 Pandemic

Objective: This study compared the aerosol-generating and non-aerosol-generating endodontic emergency procedures' success and assessed the outcome of endodontic treatments initiated before a pandemic but could not be completed in the targeted time. Material(s) and Method(s): Emergency treatments were performed according to symptoms of teeth. Treatment success or failure was determined according to patients whether not re-referral with untimely pain. Short-term outcome and complications arising from teeth, which endodontic treatments were prolonged were also recorded. A chi-square test was used in the statistical analysis, and p<0.05 was considered significant. Result(s): The aerosol-generating procedure group's success rate was 86.2%, while it was 70.0% in the non-aerosol generating procedure group (p=0.050). The short-term survival rate of teeth was 83.7% in patients whose endodontic treatment had been prolonged. Conclusion(s): Considering the pros and cons, each emergency patient should be evaluated case-by-case. Copyright ©Meandros Medical and Dental Journal, Published by Galenos Publishing House.

Assessment of Endodontic Emergency Care in a COVID-19 Pandemic

Objective: This study compared the aerosol-generating and non-aerosol-generating endodontic emergency procedures' success and assessed the outcome of endodontic treatments initiated before a pandemic but could not be completed in the targeted time. Material(s) and Method(s): Emergency treatments were performed according to symptoms of teeth. Treatment success or failure was determined according to patients whether not re-referral with untimely pain. Short-term outcome and complications arising from teeth, which endodontic treatments were prolonged were also recorded. A chi-square test was used in the statistical analysis, and p<0.05 was considered significant. Result(s): The aerosol-generating procedure group's success rate was 86.2%, while it was 70.0% in the non-aerosol generating procedure group (p=0.050). The short-term survival rate of teeth was 83.7% in patients whose endodontic treatment had been prolonged. Conclusion(s): Considering the pros and cons, each emergency patient should be evaluated case-by-case. Copyright ©Meandros Medical and Dental Journal, Published by Galenos Publishing House.

Clinical Efficacy of an Extraoral Dental Evacuation Device in Aerosol Elimination During Endodontic Access Preparation.

INTRODUCTION: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has caused many concerns in the dental field regarding aerosol production and the transmission of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 virus during dental procedures. Because of the abrupt arrival of COVID-19, there has been little to no published research on the efficacy of dental suction devices in the removal of aerosols related to COVID-19 or the impact extraoral suction devices have on patients' experiences. Therefore, the aim of this study was to measure the amount of aerosol produced during endodontic access preparation for root canal therapy with and without the use of an extraoral dental suction device and to gather information through a survey regarding patients' experiences. METHODS: Aerosol measurements were recorded in 8 closed-door resident operatories each morning before the procedures, 1 minute during the procedure, and 15 minutes after the access was complete. The CICADA DTO KN99 Extraoral Dental Suction Device (Foshan Cicada, Guangdong, China) was placed in 4 operatories, whereas no DTO extraoral suction device was used in 4 control operatories. Twenty cases with DTO and 20 cases without it were completed, and the data were analyzed. RESULTS: Aerosols 1 minute after access were higher with and without DTO. There was a significant reduction after 15 minutes when the DTO device was used compared to high-volume suction alone. Composite and zirconia produced the most aerosols at 1 minute. CONCLUSION: The results show that the reduction of aerosols is enhanced when the extraoral suction device is used in combination with traditional high-volume evacuation. However, the increased noise level when using the device can have a negative impact on patients' dental experience.

Prevalence and Quality of Endodontic Treatment in Patients with Cardiovascular Disease and Associated Risk Factors.

This study aimed to determine the prevalence and quality of endodontic treatment, by radiographically assessing the periapical periodontitis and endodontic treatment status in patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD) and cardiovascular risk (CVR) factors. Patients who visited the Out Patient Department of Institute of Dental Sciences and Department of Cardiology, Institute of Medical Sciences and SUM Hospital, Siksha 'O' Anusandhan University, Bhubaneswar, from August 2021 to February 2022, for a check-up or dental problem were considered as participants in this study. After obtaining informed consent, the participants were enrolled on the Oral Infections and Vascular Disease Epidemiology Study (INVEST) IDS, BHUBANESWAR. After testing negative for COVID-19, patients' demographic details, such as age and gender were recorded, followed by a panoramic radiographic examination (OPG). A total sample of 408 patients were divided into three groups: Group 1/control (without any cardiovascular manifestation) consisting of 102 samples, group 2 of 222 CVR patients, and group 3 of 84 CVD cases. The CVR and CVD groups had a preponderance of elderly age groups between 60 to 70 years, with a significantly higher proportion of males. Co-morbidities such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and dyslipidemia were significantly associated with the CVR and CVD groups. From OPG interpretation, it was observed that the periapical radiolucency was greater in the CVR and CVD groups than in the control group (p = 0.009). The prevalence of endodontically treated teeth was higher in CVR and CVD than in the control group (p = 0.028). A high prevalence of dental caries, about 70%, was reported in all three groups (p = 0.356). The presence of dental restoration among all the groups was low (p = 0.079). The proportion of periodontal bone loss in the control group was significantly lower than CVR and CVD (p = 0.000). There was a strong association between periapical radiolucency, endodontically treated teeth, and periodontal bone loss in CVR and CVD patients. Notably, the associations reported herein do not reflect a cause-effect relationship; however, individuals with endodontic pathologies may accumulate additional risk factors predisposing them to hypertension or other CVDs. The results emphasize that eliminating local infections may decrease the systemic infection burden.

Comparison of Clinical-related Characteristics of Endodontic Patients Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Objective: To compare patient-related and clinical-related characteristics of endodontic patients, before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: The study population comprised 506 patients (teeth: n=674) aged 13–81 years who attended undergraduate dental clinics in the Endodontics Department of the Faculty of Dentistry at Biruni University for endodontic treatment. Patient-related and clinical-related data were compared at two time intervals: before the first COVID-19 case was reported in Turkey and after the first COVID-19 case was reported in Turkey Results: There were no significant differences in terms of age and sex of the patients attending the clinics before versus during the pandemic. The incidence of reported pain before the pandemic was significantly lower than that reported during the pandemic (p=0.041). Periapical health before the pandemic was significantly better than that during the pandemic (p<0.001). The frequency of a diagnosis of asymptomatic irreversible pulpitis before the pandemic was significantly higher than that during the pandemic (p<0.001). The frequency of a diagnosis of asymptomatic apical periodontitis was higher during the pandemic than before the pandemic (p<0.001). Conclusion: These results may be explained by patients, other than those with severe symptoms, not wishing to attend endodontics clinics during the pandemic due to concerns about contracting the virus and passing the infection to family members.

Estimating the prevalence of COVID-19 disease and its effect among trainees in the endodontic postgraduate programs in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia: A web-based survey study

Introduction: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic had a profound impact on dental care and academic education. This survey investigated the prevalence of the COVID-19 pandemic, symptoms, and its impact among endodontic trainees in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional web-based survey targeted all endodontic residents in Saudi Arabia. A 22-item questionnaire was distributed to a total of 197 participants. The questionnaire included questions related to demographic information, COVID-19 impact on endodontic postgraduate training, the incidence of testing positive, symptoms experienced, and infection control measures. Descriptive and analytic statistics (Chi-square or Fisher's exact test) were used for the analysis. The significance level was set at P ≤ 0.05. Results: A total of 125 residents completed the survey. During June and July of 2020, most residents (45% and 50%) were required to perform only urgent endodontic care. Among the 125 residents, 52.8% reported being tested for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. Of these 66 who were tested, 13.6% had positive results. Eight of the nine residents who tested positive were male. Muscle pain, loss of smell and taste, fever, and headache were the most reported symptoms. A nonsurgical root canal treatment was the most common endodontic procedure performed among those surveyed (100%, n = 125), followed by endodontic emergency (84.8%, n = 106), with surgical endodontic treatment being far less frequent (27.2%, n = 34). Enhanced infection prevention and control measures were common practices during the pandemic;almost half of the residents reported using an N95 respirator or equivalent face mask. Residents continued to provide urgent care during the pandemic, and the majority returning gradually to practice as they had before the COVID-19 pandemic by December 2020. Conclusion: This survey showed a relatively low prevalence of COVID-19 among endodontic residents compared with other frontline healthcare workers. More male residents tested positive COVID-19. A more effective protection measurement should be made available and accessible to endodontic residents to ensure their safety and prevent interruptions to their clinical training. © 2022 Saudi Endodontic Journal ;Published by Wolters Kluwer - Medknow.

Application of the Extracts of Uncaria tomentosa in Endodontics and Oral Medicine: Scoping Review.

BACKGROUND: The main purpose of endodontic treatment is to eliminate the bacteria that are responsible for the contamination and infection of the internal surfaces in order to resolve any pulp or periapical pathology. In fact, some bacteria, such as Enterococcus faecalis, can escape the action of root canal irrigants by aggregating into a biofilm and penetrating deeply into the dentinal tubules. Uncaria tomentosa is a plant belonging to the Rubiaceae family and also commonly known as cat's claw due to the shape and position of the spines; it is a traditional Peruvian medicinal plant of Amazonian origin. Applications in the dental field have been described both in the prevention and treatment of stomatitis and as an antibacterial and anti-inflammatory agent; it has also been investigated as an additive in irrigants and specifically as gels in endodontic cements. The aim of this scoping review is to summarize all the scientific evidence on the possible applications of Uncaria tomentosa extracts in endodontics and, more generally, in oral medicine, in order to understand whether the active ingredients extracted from Uncaria tomentosa can bring a real advantage in endodontics, in the reduction of endodontic failures and in the onset of recurrent endodontic lesions. METHODS: The scoping review was carried out strictly following the PRISMA-ScR checklist; the search was carried out on five databases (PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct, EBSCO and Web of Science) and a register (Cochrane library). RESULTS: The research produced a number of bibliographic sources totaling 2104. With the removal of duplicates, 670 were obtained; potentially eligible articles amounted to 23, of which only seven in vitro studies (four microbiological studies), five clinical studies (three randomized trials) and a case report were included. CONCLUSIONS: From the data in the literature, it can be stated that the active ingredients present in Uncaria tomentosa could represent an interesting product to be used in the endodontic field, both in endocanalary cements and as a gel.

Effect of endodontist knowledge and risk perception on COVID-19 infection control

Background: The pandemic condition felt by all parts of the world due to the very fast spread of COVID-19 threatens the safety of various health care sectors. Until now, the pandemic has been going on and has given rise to various new variants of COVID-19. Dental and oral health services are not spared from this, this condition is exacerbated by the fact that the virus spreads more easily through aerosols produced during treatment, especially by endodontists. Therefore, the researcher wanted to know the effect of knowledge and perception of endodontic risk on the control of COVID-19. Metods: This study uses an analytical descriptive research design with a cross-sectional study approach. Samples were obtained from all endodontists registered with IKORGI and completed filling out the questionnaire to completion. Questionnaires were distributed online via google forms. The research was carried out in November 2021. Result: Based on the results of research conducted on endodontists throughout Indonesia, it was found that the difference in perception on criterion control was sufficient with a mean value of 9.84 and a median value of 10.0, the difference in knowledge on criterion control was sufficient with a mean value of 6.99 and a median value of 7.0. The results of the statistical test show a value of p = 0.000 for the knowledge variable and risk perception of COVID-19 control. Conclusions: Based on the results of research on the influence of knowledge and perception on the control of covid-19 in endodontists throughout Indonesia. © 2022 Eurosurveillance. All rights reserved.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Apical Periodontitis and Other Oral Health Variables: A Case-Control Study

Background: The relationship between chronic inflammatory diseases and their comorbidities and correlation with periodontal diseases has become an increasing focus of research. Objectives: The aim of this case-control study was to conclude if patients suffering from COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) tend to have more AP (Apical Periodontitis) than non-COPD patients. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted on 30 patients assigned as cases, associated with 30 control patients linked by age (+/−5 years) and sex. Results: A total of 60 patients were recorded, and a total of 12 radiographic variables were analyzed. A total of 43 (71.7%) patients were registered with PAI (Periapical Index) ≥ 3, and there was a slightly tendency in the patients from the control group 22 (73.3%) compared to those from the cases 21 (70%), respectively (p > 0.05). Conclusions: It was concluded that there was not a significant association between the levels of PAI (Periapical Index) ≥ 3 per patient in those suffering from COPD. In fact, it could be concluded that patients diagnosed with COPD tend to have more teeth with PAI ≥ 3, more endodontic treatments and their periodontitis tended to accumulate more caries. Clinical Significance: This study establishes, in a case-control study, some specific aspects of oral health in patients with COPD, as well as analyzing the importance of oral health in this disease.

Are aerosol control devices effective in preventing the spread of dental aerosol?

Background: In dental clinics, aerosols produced from dental instruments have become a matter of concern following breakout of coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) evolving into a pandemic. This study compared aerosol reduction systems and in terms of their ability to reduce Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis) contaminated aerosol in a simulated dental office set-up. Methods: Closed clinic model with manikin and mandibular molar typodont was simulated. For 10 min, the air and water dispersed by the rotating bur mounted on an aerator was contaminated by pouring the suspension containing 1-3 × 108 CFU/mL E. faecalis directly on the bur. During and after the procedures, the air within the cabin was also sampled. CFU count was recorded and scored. The mean CFU scores obtained from agar plate count and air sampling device was compared using Kruskal-Wallis H test among groups with 5% significance threshold. Results: The use of WS Aerosol Defender device led to greater CFU scores on the agars levelled to patient's chest compared to other directions (p = 0.001). Combined use of VacStation and WS Aerosol Defender resulted in significantly decreased CFU score in the air samples compared to experimental and positive control groups (p = 0 < 0.05). Conclusions: Although the devices prevented the spread of aerosol around the patient to some extent, they could not completely eliminate the contaminated aerosol load in the cabin environment.

Endodontic Specialists' Practice During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic: 1 Year after the Initial Outbreak.

INTRODUCTION: The aims of this observational study were to determine if endodontists' practices in early 2021 experienced changes in patient characteristics compared with a comparable prepandemic period and to determine whether the changes reported during the initial outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in 2020 were reversed 1 year later. METHODS: Demographic, diagnostic, and procedural data of 2657 patient visits from 2 endodontist private offices from March 16 to May 31 in 2019, 2020, and 2021 were included. Bivariate analyses and multiple logistic regression models were used to examine the impact of ongoing COVID-19 pandemic on patient data. RESULTS: Bivariate analyses showed that patients' self-reported pain levels and the number of visits with irreversible pulpitis in 2021 were higher than 2019 (P < .05). Patients' self-reported pain, percussion pain, and palpation pain levels in 2021 were less than 2020 (P < .05). Multiple logistic regression analyses showed that endodontists' practices in 2021 had an increase in the number of nonsurgical root canal treatments (odds ratio [OR] = 1.482; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.102-1.992), and apicoectomies (OR = 2.662; 95% CI, 1.416-5.004) compared with 2019. Compared with the initial outbreak in 2020, endodontists' practices in 2021 had visits with older patients (OR = 1.288; 95% CI, 1.045-1.588), less females (OR = 0.781; 95% CI, 0.635-.960), more molars (OR = 1.389; 95% CI, 1.065-1.811), and less pain on percussion (OR = 0.438; 95% CI, 0.339-0.566). CONCLUSIONS: The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic was associated with an increase in the number of nonsurgical root canal treatments. Some of the changes observed during the initial outbreak in 2020, including objective pain parameters, returned to normal levels 1 year later.

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) transmission through aerosols in restorative and endodontic practice: Strategies for prevention.

Rapid spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in several countries of the world has created a state of public health emergency. COVID-19 is principally a respiratory disease, and the virus is present in respiratory secretions. Oral health-care professionals are susceptible to being infected with the disease since they work in close proximity to patient's face and oral cavity for long period of time. Restorative dentists and endodontists play a significant role in delivering "urgent" or "emergency" dental care to patients. Occupational Safety and Health Administration has categorized dentists performing aerosol-generating treatment procedures at "very high exposure risk" whereas the dentists not performing aerosol-generating procedures at "high exposure risk." Most of the restorative and endodontic treatment procedures involve generation of aerosols. Owing to the possibility of transmission of virus through aerosols, these procedures may transmit the disease to clinician or other patients. A comprehensive search of literature was conducted with the help of PubMed/MEDLINE and Scopus databases using a combination of terms, "COVID-19," "severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2," "aerosols," "restorative dentistry," and "endodontics." Along with universal precautions, some additional precautions need to be taken to prevent such transmission and cross-infection. This article reviews the research evidence about the role of aerosols in the transmission of COVID-19 and various measures which should be implemented during restorative and endodontic practice for the prevention of such transmission.

Résumé La propagation rapide de la maladie à coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) dans plusieurs pays du monde a créé un état d'urgence de santé publique. Le COVID-19 est principalement une maladie respiratoire et le virus est présent dans les sécrétions respiratoires. Les professionnels de la santé bucco-dentaire sont susceptibles d'être infectés par la maladie, car ils travaillent à proximité du visage et de la cavité buccale du patient pendant une longue période. Les dentistes restaurateurs et les endodontistes jouent un rôle important dans la prestation de soins dentaires "urgents" ou "d'urgence" aux patients. L'Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) a classé les dentistes effectuant des procédures de traitement générant des aérosols à "Risque très élevé", tandis que les dentistes n'effectuant pas de procédures générant des aérosols à "Risque élevé d'exposition". La plupart des procédures de traitement de restauration et d'endodontie impliquent la génération d'aérosols. En raison de la possibilité de transmission du virus par les aérosols, ces procédures peuvent transmettre la maladie au clinicien ou à d'autres patients. Une recherche complète de la littérature a été menée à l'aide des bases de données PubMed/MEDLINE et Scopus en utilisant une combinaison de termes, "COVID-19", "SARS-CoV-2", "aérosols", "dentisterie restauratrice" et "endodontie". Outre les précautions universelles, certaines précautions supplémentaires doivent être prises pour prévenir une telle transmission et une infection croisée. Cet article passe en revue les preuves de la recherche sur le rôle des aérosols dans la transmission de COVID-19 et diverses mesures qui devraient être mises en œuvre lors de la pratique réparatrice et endodontique pour la prévention d'une telle transmission. Mots-clés: COVID-19, aérosols, dentisterie restauratrice, endodontie, évacuation à haut volume.

Analysis of Online Consultations and Emergent Treatments of Operative Dentistry and Endodontics during the COVID-19 Epidemic.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of the present study is to evaluate the characteristics of online consultations and emergent dental treatments and analyze the status of diseases related to operative dentistry and endodontics (ODE) during the COVID-19 epidemic. METHODS: Online consultations were collected from 3 February to 21 April 2020. The electronic medical record system was accessed to collect clinical diagnoses and emergent dental treatments from 9 January to 21 April 2020. RESULTS: A total of 2419 patients visited us and received treatments 2 weeks before the lockdown. The number of patients decreased to 537 during the 76 days of the lockdown. Among them, dental examinations accounted for the majority of visits (88.83%). After 7 April, the outpatient number increased to 36.79 ± 6.63 per day, but the proportion of dental examinations and treatments did not change significantly. A total of 1218 online consultations were completed before the lockdown. The most common dental problem was pulpitis (48.1%). After 7 April, consultations surged from 23.15 ± 8.54 to 44.43 ± 12.63 per day. Consultations related to pulpitis, apical periodontitis, or dental caries remained stable. CONCLUSIONS: Correct understanding, active treatments, and appropriate psychological interventions for the ODE staff during the COVID-19 epidemic are necessary. Our results may provide references to arrange staff and treat patients more efficiently for future epidemics.

Challenges of oral radiography prescriptions during the COVID-19 outbreak in Shiraz, Iran

Background: Considering the severity of the COVID-19 outbreak and its rapid person-to-person transmission and the challenges it has brought about in dentistry, especially in intraoral radiography, following the established guidelines in prescribing radiographs is of great prominence. Objectives: We aimed to evaluate the necessity of prescribed intraoral radiographs and to estimate the number of unnecessary prescriptions during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 143 patients with a mean age of 29.36 ± 14.11 years who visited the Radiology Department of Shiraz Dental School during the peak of the COVID-19 outbreak. Information, including gender, age, systemic diseases, referring department, and type and urgency of radiography, was collected using a checklist. Chi-squared test and Fisher’s exact test were run to assess the relationships between variables. Results: Among all the patients referred to the Radiology Department, the endodontics and oral medicine departments accounted for the highest percentage of referrals. The relationship between the necessity of radiography prescriptions and dental departments was significant (P < 0.05). The lowest rate of unnecessary referrals was reported in the Department of Endodontics (13.3%), whereas the highest rate of unnecessary referrals was attributed to the aesthetic and restorative dentistry departments (73.3%). There was a significant association between dental department and the type of prescribed radiographs (extraoral/intraoral). The Orthodontics Department was the only department with more extraoral radiograph prescriptions than intraoral radiographs. One-third of the prescribed intraoral radiographs and half of the extraoral radiographs were unnecessary, with a significant difference during the pandemic (P = 0.019). Conclusions: Although there has been some success in the development of COVID-19 vaccines, this pandemic will not be easily eradicated. Therefore, it is crucial to follow the established guidelines and postpone unnecessary dental procedures to improve the safety of our community and the world in general. © 2021, Author(s).

How can biophotonics help dentistry to avoid or minimize cross infection by SARS-CoV-2?

Biophotonics is defined as the combination of biology and photonics (the physical science of the light). It is a general term for all techniques that deal with the interaction between biological tissues/cells and photons (light). Biophotonics offers a great variety of techniques that can facilitate the early detection of diseases and promote innovative theragnostic approaches. As the COVID-19 infection can be transmitted due to the face-to-face communication, droplets and aerosol inhalation and the exposure to saliva, blood, and other body fluids, as well as the handling of sharp instruments, dental practices are at increased risk of infection. In this paper, a literature review was performed to explore the application of Biophotonics approaches in Dentistry focusing on the COVID-19 pandemic and how they can contribute to avoid or minimize the risks of infection in a dental setting. For this, search-related papers were retrieved from PubMED, Scielo, Google Schoolar, and American Dental Association and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention databases. The body of evidence currently available showed that Biophotonics approaches can reduce microorganism load, decontaminate surfaces, air, tissues, and minimize the generation of aerosol and virus spreading by minimally invasive, time-saving, and alternative techniques in general. However, each clinical situation must be individually evaluated regarding the benefits and drawbacks of these approaches, but always pursuing less-invasive and less aerosol-generating procedures, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Endodontics Specialists' Practice during the Initial Outbreak of Coronavirus Disease 2019.

INTRODUCTION: The first outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the United States resulted in a nationwide closure of dental offices that created an oral health crisis. The aim of this observational study was to analyze and compare the characteristics of patients who visited 2 private endodontics offices from March 16 to May 31, 2020, compared with the same period in 2019. METHODS: Demographic, diagnostic, and procedural data of 1520 (693 in 2020 and 827 in 2019) patient visits were collected. Bivariate and multiple logistic regression analyses were used to assess the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on patient-related variables. RESULTS: Bivariate analyses showed that the number of patient visits decreased in April and May 2020 (P < .0001). In 2020, patients' self-reported pain level was higher, they were more frequently diagnosed with pulp necrosis and acute apical abscess, and they received more incisions for drainage (P < .05). Multiple logistic regression analyses showed that the COVID-19 outbreak was associated with less visits for older patients (>49.5 years) (odds ratio [OR] = 0.720; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.573-0.906), more patients with kidney diseases (OR = 2.690; 95% CI, 1.143-6.331), higher levels of pain on percussion (OR = 2.277; 95% CI, 1.718-3.016), less cases with previously initiated treatment (OR = 0.242; 95% CI, 0.080-0.731), less periapical diagnoses of asymptomatic apical periodontitis (OR = 0.510; 95% CI, 0.306-0.849), and a higher number of nonsurgical root canal treatments (OR = 2.073; 95% CI, 1.397-3.074) and apicoectomies (OR = 2.799; 95% CI, 1.367-5.729). CONCLUSIONS: These findings show that the public health burden of endodontic infections was more intense during the initial outbreak of COVID-19.

A multicentric survey to evaluate preclinical education in Endodontology in German-speaking countries.

AIM: To evaluate preclinical education in Endodontology at Austrian, German and Swiss dental schools using an online survey. METHODOLOGY: An online survey divided into nine categories was sent using SurveyMonkey software to 37 dental schools, before the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. The questionnaire included 50 questions to evaluate preclinical endodontic education, such as faculty-to-student ratios, topics taught and materials used, in preclinical phantom head courses. Seven and 14 days after the first e-mail contact, dental schools received a reminder e-mail. After four and six weeks, the dental schools were contacted by telephone and asked to participate in the online survey. The processing time was eight weeks in total. RESULTS: The response rate was 89%. Preclinical endodontic education at the participating dental schools differs considerably. Theory classes ranged from 1 to 70 h (15 h mean), and practical classes ranged from 3 to 78 h (39 h mean). The faculty-to-student ratio varied between 1:4 and 1:38 (1:15 mean). Forty-five per cent of the dental schools had a specialist in endodontics teaching theory. Several dental microscopes were available for preclinical teaching purposes at 82% of the dental schools. The majority (82%) taught root canal preparation with rotary or reciprocating NiTi instruments. Overall, 85% of the dental schools taught lateral compaction, amongst other methods, for canal filling. CONCLUSION: A substantial divergence amongst the dental schools regarding the time dedicated to theory and practical instruction in Endodontology was reported. However, convergence in the use of root canal treatment techniques and materials was reported.