Covid-19 update: Omicron variant - a new emerging threat.

A new health threat in the form of a new variant of Covid-19 called Omicron has emerged globally in this holiday season. This new variant has been declared a variant of concern (VOC) by the World Health Organization and experts are expecting another wave of the pandemic. A lot still unknown about this variant and researchers worldwide are conducting studies to find the nature and characteristics of this mutated strain.

Effect of liquorice (root extract) mouth rinse on dental plaque and gingivitis - A randomized controlled clinical trial.

Background: Around the world, an increasing number of people are turning towards nature by using the natural herbal products not only because they are inexpensive but also for better cultural acceptability, better compatibility with the human body and minimal side effects. This study assessed the effectiveness of liquorice (root extract) mouth rinse against dental plaque and gingivitis and compared it with 0.2% chlorhexidine (CHX) gluconate mouth rinse.

Evaluation of the Effect of Fixed and Removable Appliances on Salivary Parameters (Salivary Flow Rate pH and Buffering Capacity) in Children Aged 5-12 Years: An Study.

Aim: To evaluate and compare the effect of fixed and removable space maintainers or appliances on salivary factors ("salivary flow rate," pH, and buffering capacity of saliva) in children aged 5-12 years over a period of 3 months.

Materials And Methods: Sixty children were selected for the study and equally alienated into two groups as group I for fixed appliances and group II for removable appliances). Unstimulated saliva was collected from children wearing fixed and removable space maintainers or appliances at baseline, 1, 2, and 3 months.

Estimation of salivary proteins in early childhood caries before and after treatment using gel electrophoresis.

Background: Saliva being an important biological fluid of our body contains both specific and nonspecific protective factors which form an integral part of our immune system. Salivary proteins play a substantial role in protecting humans against infection. Their level in oral cavity is subject to constant variations which is dependent on various factors.

Emotional well-being of dentists and the effect of lockdown during the COVID-19 pandemic: A nationwide study.

Background: Lockdown in India might have adverse effects on the emotional health of the dental professionals; hence, the aim of the present study was to determine the impact of various factors on emotional well-being of dental professionals due to the effect of lockdown during COVID-19.

Materials And Methods: It was a cross-sectional, descriptive, questionnaire study conducted on dentists in India during April 2020. Sampling technique was convenient sampling, and sampling frame was all the dental professionals in India.

Evaluation of patient satisfaction and masticatory performance in mandible single implant-assisted overdenture.

Objectives: Many authors' have advocated a minimum of two implants to support a mandibular overdenture, but financial restraints specifically among the geriatric population in developing countries made this treatment plan economically difficult. Hence, this study was planned to assess the symphyseal (midline) single implant-assisted complete overdenture for patient satisfaction and masticatory performance.

Materials And Methods: In this clinical study, 12 edentulous first-time denture wearers underwent placement of a single implant in the mandibular symphyseal region.

Solitary Median Maxillary Central Incisor: A Case Report with 3-Year Follow-Up and Literature Review.

A solitary median maxillary central incisor (SMMCI) is a rare anomaly that can occur alone or be associated with other systemic abnormalities. Early diagnosis of SMMCI is crucial as it might indicate the presence of an associated congenital or developmental abnormality. The prevalence of live-born children with SMMCI is determined to be 1:50,000 and is more common among females.

Covid-19 and mucormycosis (Black Fungus): An epidemic within the pandemic.

The second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic has affected India significantly with country reporting more than 400,000 cases in the month of May 2021 and health system almost collapsing. This was attributed to the new mutant strain also called as the 'Delta Strain' which led to high surge of cases across the country. As the country was stabilising over this situation, another imminent threat in the form of Covid Associated Mucormycosis (CAM) challenged the already burdened health system of India.

Efficacy evaluation of rubber cup and air polishing techniques using glycine in plaque and stain removal - A clinical trial.

Background: Researchers have proved Glycine to be safe, less abrasive, sweet and comfortable for patients. It is beneficial in removing plaque as well as stains. The present study aims to compare the plaque and extrinsic stain removal efficacy of the air-polishing device and rubber cup prophylaxis technique along with a comparative evaluation of the gingival trauma caused by both the techniques.

Comparative evaluation of bone regeneration with platelet-rich fibrin in mandibular third molar extraction socket: A randomized split-mouth study.

Purpose: Platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) is a new platelet concentrate concept consisting of an autologous fibrin gel having accumulation of platelets and the released cytokines in a fibrin clot. The study aims to evaluate the efficacy of autologous PRF in accelerating bone regeneration and repair in fresh third molar extraction sockets. The investigators hypothesized the cicatricial properties and accumulation of growth factors in a single clot which will improve bone density and quality.

Oral health status, self-perceived dental needs, and barriers to utilization of dental services among people with psychiatric disorders reporting to a tertiary care center in Haryana.

Background: Patients with psychiatric disorders can be vulnerable to oral diseases due to the adverse effects of medications and disease per se. The aim of this study is to assess oral health status, self-perceived dental needs, and barriers to utilization of dental services along with evaluation of intervention urgency among psychiatric patients.

Materials And Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 165 individuals were examined at the psychiatric outpatient department of a tertiary care center.

Oral Health Status of Middle-Aged (45-55 Years) Rural Women: A Cross-Sectional Study from North India.

Aim: This study aimed to assess the oral hygiene practices and oral health status of middle aged (45-55 years) women residing in rural areas of Ambala district (Haryana).

Materials And Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 79 villages were selected using simple random sampling technique through an online randomizer. The study participants (780) were selected through convenience sampling and oral health status was (dental caries, periodontal status, prosthetic needs, and dental fluorosis) recorded on a self-structured format based on World Health Organization Criteria (WHO, 1997).

Covid-19: a survey on knowledge, awareness and hygiene practices among dental health professionals in an Indian scenario.

Background: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2 or COVID-19) continues to spread globally. It has become a major cause of concern for health care professionals all over the world.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess knowledge, awareness and hygiene practices regarding COVID-19 among private dental practitioners practicing in Tricity (Chandigarh, Panchkula and Mohali) in India during these critical times.

Pink bodies with halo.

The presence of eosinophilic Toto bodies in oral lesions could be found in a variety of situations and sometime may present a challenge to the pathologist. We present three case reports where the oral biopsy was taken from the gingival region of a 30-year-old female, a 32-year-old male patient and another from the buccal mucosa of a 67-year-old male patient. Histopathologically, the three cases were finally diagnosed as pyogenic granuloma and moderately differentiated squamous cell carcinoma with the presence of clusters of Toto bodies in the upper spinous layer of stratified squamous epithelium.

Ewing's Sarcoma of Mandible: A Case Report with Review.

Aim: To make dentists and pedodontists aware of a possible outcome of a rapidly growing swelling.

Background: Ewing's sarcoma is a rare aggressive variant of small round cell tumors and is an uncommon malignancy that occurs usually in childhood. It constitutes 10-15% of all primary malignant tumors and represents the second most common malignant bone tumor occurring in children and young adults.

Diffused mixed B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma of mandible.

Lymphomas are the third-most common cancer of the oral cavity after squamous cell carcinomas and salivary gland tumors. It is characterized by proliferation of lymphoid cells and their precursor. Diffuse B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma is the most common histological type of lymphoma in the head-and-neck region and most commonly affects older men in their seventh decade of life.

Patient safety in primary and outpatient health care.

Primary care services provide an entry point into the health system which directly impact's people well-being and their use of other health care resources. Patient safety has been recognised as an issue of global importance for the past 10 years. Unsafe primary and ambulatory care results in greater morbidity, higher healthcare usage and economic costs.

Determinants of Tobacco Use among Children of a Rural Village in India: An Exploratory Qualitative Study.

Background: Tobacco is one of the leading causes of preventable deaths. It is both a major social and health problem. According to National Sample Survey Organization of Government of India about 20 million children of ages 10-14 are estimated to be tobacco-addicted.

Prevalence of oral parameters in smokeless tobacco-associated precancer.

Aim: To evaluate and correlate the prevalence of species, salivary flow rate, pH, and buffer capacity of oral cavity in subjects with leukoplakia, tobacco pouch keratosis, and healthy controls.

Materials And Methods: In this prospective study, a total of 25 cases of leukoplakia, 25 of tobacco pouch keratosis, and 50 of healthy controls were studied. Sabouraud's dextrose agar (SDA) for the identification of and HiCrome differential Agar for the species identification of were used.

Mandibular Fracture in Children: A New Approach for Management and Review of Literature.

Unlabelled: Maxillofacial fractures in the pediatric population consist of less than 15% of all facial fractures. Road traffic accidents, sport-related injury, and fall constitutes most common causes for the facial injury. Incidence of the facial fractures is comparatively higher in boys than in girls.

Knowledge regarding avulsion, reimplantation and mouthguards in high school children: Organised sports-related orodental injuries.

Purpose: To assess knowledge, awareness and attitude of high school children involved in various sports activities regarding avulsion, reimplantation and mouthguard use.

Materials And Methods: An interview-based study was conducted among high school children in the age group of 8-16 years ( = 1105). A questionnaire was given to children and parents which included questions based on knowledge of children regarding avulsion, reimplantation, consequences of losing teeth, mouthgards and their usage and preferred media for tooth transportation.

Analysis of food frequency and acquired dietary allowance (ADA) in relation to dental caries and dental erosion affecting dental postgraduate students of Sawangi: A cross-sectional survey.

Background: The development and integrity of the oral cavity and the progression of oral diseases may be affected by the nutritional status and diet of the person. The most ubiquitous oral diseases are found to be dental caries and periodontal diseases in the world. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to assess the correlation between food frequency with nutrient adequacy ratio (NAR), NAR with dental caries, and dental erosion.