Dementia and COVID-19

While both dementia and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have differing etiology, there is a complex interplay between the two, especially when looking into their effects on certain sub-populations. Hispanic Americans face a higher burden of dementia and COVID-19 due to both modifiable and unmodifiable risk factors, age-related chronic diseases, and environmental factors. The major unmodifiable risk factors include increasing age and predisposing genetics, while the major modifiable risk factors include income/socioeconomic status, educational attainment, exercise, diet, and smoking/tobacco use. Furthermore, specific age-related chronic diseases such as diabetes, kidney disease, hypercholesterolemia, cardiovascular disease, and chronic lung diseases place Hispanic Americans at high risk for dementia and COVID-19. Lastly, Hispanic Americans face the additional disadvantage of environmental factors, such as social inequalities and lack of access to adequate healthcare resources. Given that Hispanic Americans are the largest racial/ethnic minority group within the United States, this chapter will focus upon the research associated with dementia and COVID-19 within the Hispanic American population of the United States. Furthermore, this chapter will explore the four major risk factor categories (unmodifiable risk factors, modifiable risk factors, age-related chronic diseases, and environmental factors), which contribute to the development of dementia and COVID-19 within the Hispanic American population of the United States. © 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Assessing the Practice Protocol of Dental Practitioners during COVID-19 Pandemic: A Questionnaire Study

Background: The current COVID-19 pandemic has become a serious issue for the health-care professionals including dental practitioners. Materials and Methods: A total of 100 subjects were selected for the study. An online questionnaire using Google Forms was used to collect the data regarding the dentist's knowledge, perceptions and infection control in dental clinics and if they were affected by COVID-19. Data were analysed using software. Results: Out of 100 participants, 61% of them were male with a mean age of 35.21 years. More than 50% of practitioners took 10-20 min for completion of their procedure. 66% used all the personal protective equipment (PPE) with 64% of them using an N95 mask and around 90% used the PPE kit. Amongst the study group, it was found that 3% were affected by COVID-19, who were between 27 and 33 years. All of them used PPE kit with 67% using N95 mask and 33% used half respirator. 67% amongst them used high-speed handpiece and performed aerosol-producing procedures in a well-ventilated atmosphere with air conditioners. Conclusion: The findings of the study showed that the maximum number of practitioners did follow the clinical protection protocol and when all protocol was followed, the number of dental practitioners affected by COVID-19 was not statistically significant.