Challenges of breastfeeding during COVID-19 and baby friendly protocols adopted at a maternity health center in the northern Emirates of UAE: a comprehensive review.

BACKGROUND: The outbreak of Coronavirus disease (COVID-19), caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS CoV-2) has caused worldwide panic in the global population taking people's lives, creating fear, and affecting mother-child relationships. Many questions were raised on the dangers of being infected with COVID-19 for newborns and safety concerns during feeding by COVID-19-positive mothers. Moreover, questions and doubts about the safety of the administration of vaccinations for nursing mothers are still open. This review attempts to fill the existing literature gap by exploring concepts concerning COVID-19 and breastfeeding mothers, the safety of vaccinations, the beneficial effects of breastfeeding on both mother and child, important hygiene recommendations for SARS-CoV-2 infected mothers, and possible solutions to optimize breastfeeding and safety precautions amidst the fear of emergence of novel variants. METHODS: All relevant publications from Google Scholar, PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus search engines from December 2019 to October 2022 related to SARS-CoV-2, breastfeeding, COVID-19, lactating guidelines, and vaccination were included using 'Breastfeeding AND vaccine AND SARS-CoV-2' as MESH TERMS. Apart from the literature review, existing maternity protocols followed in Northern UAE were gathered from lactation consultants practicing in the UAE. RESULTS: Out of 19,391 records generated, only 24 studies were analyzed and summarized in this exhaustive review using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) flow chart. Previous studies suggest that breastmilk is predominantly the primary source of nutrition for neonates. Breast milk is a rich source of antibodies that help the baby to fight against infections including other benefits. Hygiene recommendations for suspected or confirmed COVID-19-infected mothers are required along with psychological and emotional support. CONCLUSIONS: The administration of vaccinations should be advised and encouraged to protect the mothers with antibodies and the neonates by the passive transmission of antibodies through breast milk. This is a significant reason for not stopping breastfeeding even in case of COVID-19 infection. With adherence to proper hygiene methods, breastfeeding is recommended to be continued as the benefits greatly outweigh the risks.

Evaluation of E-max Porcelain Veneer Failures: A Retrospective Study.

Aim This retrospective study aimed to evaluate if E-max veneers over five years caused changes in gingival, periodontal health, and veneer failures. Background As aesthetic dentistry progresses, dental veneers are becoming increasingly popular in both general and specialized dental practices. Due to technological advancements in dental ceramics and adhesive systems, porcelain veneers have become a highly sought-after solution for improving aesthetics in dental patients. The success of porcelain laminate veneers, a commonly used method for aesthetic restoration, relies on various factors. E-max veneers are frequently utilized, with their long-term durability contingent upon factors such as color stability, resistance to abrasion, as well as good compressive, tensile, and shear strength, along with maintaining marginal integrity. Methodology In this study, data was collected through a checklist form used to record clinical parameters. The clinical parameters evaluated were inflammation and bleeding on probing (BOP). The gingival health was evaluated by gingival index, gingival color, texture, and bleeding on probing, and periodontal health was evaluated by the pocket depth and radiographic evaluations. Finally, the veneer was visually inspected for chipping, staining, and debonding history. The score for most of the cases ranged between 0-1, with only 10 cases displaying moderate gingival inflammation and BOP (Gingival Index 2). Siemens Orthopantomogram (OPG) systems were used for radiological evaluation and documentation of cases. E-max porcelain veneers were only included in the research. Results Out of 28 patients, each with 6-to-10-unit veneer cases was examined, 18 patients (64.3%) displayed healthy gingival status with no bleeding area recorded in none of the veneers amongst the 6 to 10 units. In 10 patients (35.7%) most of the veneers had inflamed gingival tissue that was bleeding on probing. The majority revealed the presence of stippling (92.9%), absence of recession (96.4%), and pocket depth (67.9%). Half of our participants had their veneer for more than five years (50%) and the majority presented with no significant changes in veneer recorded like marginal staining, debonding, or chipping (89.3%). Conclusion Multiple factors such as patient selection, proper treatment planning, and design, including material selection, play a significant role in the long-lasting success of ceramic veneers. The retrospective study indicated that proper oral hygiene measures are vital for the long-term sustainability of E max veneers.

Frequently used extraoral maxillofacial prosthetic materials and their longevity - A comprehensive review.

The longevity of an extraoral prosthesis depends on its physical and mechanical properties and user maintenance. Faced with multiple outcome measures, researchers find it difficult to determine the most appropriate extraoral prosthetic material. This comprehensive review evaluates the most used extraoral prosthesis materials and qualitatively assesses their longevity and function. The study aims to identify and interpret the results of current updates on the factors that affect longevity and functionality. This comprehensive review summarizes and evaluates differences in the properties of commonly used extraoral maxillofacial prosthetic materials. The review was planned to focus on all factors related to the longevity and function of the extraoral maxillofacial prosthetics. An electronic search covered English articles in PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, Web of Science, and grey literature. Manual searching was also performed. Six authors participated in the screening. Search engines extracted 1107 records, and 88 studies were included for qualitative and bias assessments. Silicones are the most frequently used extraoral maxillofacial prosthetic materials. Heat-cured silicones are more color-stable than those cured at room temperature. Additional ingredients and processing techniques affect prosthesis longevity.

A Comparative Evaluation of the Cleaning Efficacy of Five Different Root Canal Irrigation Devices: A Histological Study.

OBJECTIVES: This study is aimed to evaluate the cleaning efficacy of five different irrigation systems as SonicMax, RinsEndo, EndoVac, passive ultrasonic irrigation (PUI), and manual needle irrigation (MNI) to histologically evaluate the presence of organic structures and the penetration of irrigation solution. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-two single-rooted, extracted human mandibular premolars were used in the study. Each tooth was decoronated at the cementoenamel junction and the root canals were instrumented using ProTaper rotary instruments in a crown-down manner. The specimens were randomly divided into five experimental groups (n = 7) Group (1) SonicMax, group (2) RinsEndo,group (3) EndoVac, group (4) PUI, group (5) MNI, and the control groups (n = 7). Each system used 2.5% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), 17% ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA), and 2.5% NaOCl, respectively, in the experimental groups. The control group did not receive any final irrigation.The measurements were analyzed by employing two-way analysis of variance multivariate results to show significant differences between the length of the dentin tubules in the apical, middle, and coronal of the six groups. The post-hoc test was used when groups were compared by pairs. RESULTS: The results of this study indicate that among the five groups, the RinsEndo and EndoVac were found to be most effective in the cleaning of root canals. The RinsEndo shows highly significant results in the cleaning efficiency of the coronal and middle parts compared with the other groups. The cleaning efficiency in the apical area was the same for RinsEndo and EndoVac. CONCLUSION: The result of our study indicates that RinsEndo and EndoVac may be more effective in clinical practice.

Esthetic Rehabilitation of Pediatric Patients Using Direct Bonding Technique-A Case Series Report.

Pediatric esthetic dentistry is a sensitive technique, as children can be less cooperative; hence, minimal appointments are preferred. The most conservative treatment modality for anterior esthetic rehabilitation is using direct composite veneer restorations. In many instances, esthetic improvements using composite resin are the only possible option until the growth phase of the pediatric patient is complete. In this article, we present three different case scenarios in young teenagers with different treatment needs requiring esthetic restorations. The first case report is a patient with amelogenesis imperfecta, the second is with generalized spacing, and the third is with localized microdontia. All three patients were followed up for six months post direct composite veneering and were highly satisfied with their treatment outcomes, which boosted their self-confidence.

Students Perception toward Effectiveness of Online Learning during COVID-19 Pandemic among University Dental Students in India and United Arab Emirates: A Multi Centric Study.

Objectives: The rationale of this study was to compare the efficiency of online learning and the differences in outcome between the two universities in India and United Arab Emirates (UAE). Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with a validated questionnaire among dental students of a dental college in India and a dental college in the UAE. The data were analyzed using the SPSS software version 22, and comparison was done using the Chi-square test, ANOVA, correlation, and regression analysis. Statistical significance was set at P < 0.05. Results: A total of 491 students responded to the questionnaire, of which 314 were from India and 177 from UAE. The awareness of online learning among students had increased after COVID-19, and Zoom was the most common platform (30.9%). The satisfaction ratio was 78.4%, and smartphones were commonly used by students. Based on the satisfaction of online learning, study participants from UAE had a higher mean attitude score (2.72 ± 0.98) as compared to Indian students (2.47 ± 0.77) (P < 0.027*). Conclusion: The study results show that online learning was comparable to traditional method of learning. Although poor network connectivity was a deterrent for online learning among students from India and UAE, future teaching methods could inculcate online teaching methods and hence encourage blended learning as part of the teaching curriculum.

The retrieval of a surgical blade broken within the alveolar bone during minimally traumatic tooth extraction.

Minimally traumatic tooth removal is the norm for removing teeth when a dental implant is planned at that site. The quantity of available bone is the primary requisite to place an implant. The initial use of a scalpel blade to widen the periodontal space followed by the use of luxators is one of the techniques that is being followed for atraumatic extraction. A case of accidental breakage of a number 11 scalpel blade while attempting tooth removal and the method adopted in removing this portion of the blade without further bone destruction is reported here. The authors have not found any previously published cases, reporting the breakage of a scalpel blade during the bone expansion procedure and its management.