Mucormycosis during Coronavirus Disease Pandemic: A Diagnosis we Cannot Afford to Miss.

Mucormycosis is a very aggressive, devastating opportunistic fungal infection commonly involving nasal, maxillary,orbital, and cerebral regions. In the second wave of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, a high frequency of mucormycosis infections has been seen because of the triad of COVID-19, systemic steroids, and preexisting diabetes mellitus. A patient might present with a simple mobile tooth/teeth with multiple gingival abscesses Necrotic bone could be seen in the palate. Blackish discoloration might be present in the oral mucosa. There might be extraoral swelling . If rhino-oculo cerebral mucormycosis is diagnosed, then there are two immediate treatment modalities to be followed. Both surgical and medical treatment are necessary. Surgical is thorough debridement of the necrotic tissue. To prevent the occurrence of mucormycosis, meticulous glycemic control and rational use of steroids and antibiotics for the shortest possible time with adequate attention toward the ventilators and tubing are necessary.

Smoking re-initiation after cessation program: Comparison of associated factors between young and older adults.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the associated factors in reinitiating the smoking habit among the participants of a smoking cessation program conducted in a tobacco cessation clinic of Manipal University, Manipal. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted among participants of a smoking cessation program who reinitiated smoking habit. A self-administered questionnaire was used that had information on demographic, habit history, knowledge on harmful effects of smoking behavior related to oral cavity and associated factors due to which individual was unable to quit the habit. RESULTS: A total of 102 males (mean age = 39.91 ± 9.57) constituted the final sample. The results showed that habitual smokers were more likely to be ≥40 years and occasional smokers were all reported to be <93 years (P < 0.001). Cigarette smokers were more likely to be of younger age group while majority of the Beedi and cigarette + Beedi smokers were older adults (P < 0.001). The mean duration of the habit was significantly higher for older adults than young adults (P < 0.001). There was no significant difference in the number of packs between the age groups (P = 0.054). A significantly higher proportion of young adults than older adults were aware about oral cancer (P < 0.001). Significantly higher proportion of older adults than young adults tend to have a closest person to be a smoker (P = 0.05). A significant higher proportion of young adults reason their habit as for pleasure (84.6%) and relaxation (68.8%), while older adults reason it to be as tension (64.1%) or combined factors (70.6%). Peer pressure was almost same in both the age groups (P = 0.006). There were no significant differences in the withdrawal symptoms among young and older adults (P = 0.41). CONCLUSION: Considerable differences were noticed between younger and older age groups in the factors which might play a role in re-intiating the smoking habit. A structured cessation program focused more on the above characteristics should be planned in public health programs based on the characteristics of the participants.

Relationship between anthropometric measures and dental caries among adolescent National Cadets Corps of Udupi district, south India.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relationship between anthropometric measures and dental caries among National Cadets Corps of Udupi district, India. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Demographic information like age, sex, and parental education were collected. Various anthropometric measures like weight, height, mid-upper arm circumference, waist circumference and hip circumference, and dental caries were recorded as per standard guidelines. RESULTS: A total of 211 cadets with age range of 12-19 years constituted the final sample. Caries experience was significantly different with respect to age and gender (P = 0.049 and 0.05, respectively). Multivariate analysis was performed using Poisson regression with DMFT as dependent variable. Height, weight, BMI, and WC showed significant association with dental caries status (OR = 10.61, 1.03, 1.09, and 1.02, respectively). Stratified analysis showed no association with anthropometric measures (Height, weight, BMI, and WC) and dental caries in 12-14 years. Among 15-19 years age group, there was a significant association between anthropometric measures (Height, weight, and BMI) and dental caries. CONCLUSION: There was a significant association between anthropometric measures and caries status in 15-19 years age group while no association was found in 12-14 years age group.