Gold nanoparticles as innovative therapeutics for oral mucositis: A review of current evidence.

Oral mucositis (OM) remains a debilitating side effect in patients undergoing cancer therapy. DNA damage and oxidative stress generated by radiation and/or chemotherapy activate key inflammatory pathways, ultimately resulting in the destruction of the epithelial barrier, leading to microbial colonization, and ulceration. These ulcerative lesions are often extremely painful, compromising nutrition and oral hygiene, requiring intravenous nutritional support, resulting in longer periods of hospitalization and increased cost.

Effectiveness of gold nanoparticles in prevention and treatment of oral mucositis in animal models: a systematic review.

Background: Oral mucositis remains a significant complication during cancer therapy with no effective treatment. Gold nanoparticles offer anti-inflammatory, antioxidant properties with low toxicity. This study systematically reviews the literature assessing gold nanoparticles in the management of oral mucositis in animal models.

Perception of health and educational risks amongst dental students and educators in the era of COVID-19.

Objective: To investigate the perceived educational and health risks associated with the COVID-19 pandemic amongst dental students and educators.

Methods: A 17-item electronic survey was sent to 496 undergraduate dental students and 53 clinical faculty members who attended clinical sessions during the outbreak period. The survey explored various aspects related to primary sources and prevention of disease exposure, dental management of suspected cases, impact of COVID-19 on students' clinical performance and effects of suspension of educational activities on academic performance and clinical competence.

AgNP/Alginate Nanocomposite hydrogel for antimicrobial and antibiofilm applications.

The synthesis and specific surface functionalization of antimicrobial silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and their incorporation into an alginate hydrogel is described. Divalent cation-mediated ionic crosslinking was used to disperse the AgNPs throughout the gel, made possible by -COO cross-linking sites provided by the surface-enhanced nanoparticles, inspired by the classic egg-box model crosslinking of calcium alginate. An AgNP concentration, 10-20 μg g increased hygrogel elasticity, viscosity, and shear resistance by 45, 30, and 31% respectively.

COVID-19 and dental clinical practice: Students and clinical staff perceptions of health risks and educational impact.

Purpose/objectives: Due to the nature of the profession, dental healthcare workers are exposed to infectious diseases such as coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), and the severity of the pandemic presents challenges to dental education institutions worldwide. This study investigated dental students and clinical staff perceptions of health risks and impacts on clinical competence of working in teaching clinics during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Methods: A 39-item survey composed of closed and open questions was sent to students and clinical staff of a prominent Australasian dental school.