Dental Facilities Research Articles

Interprofessional collaboration and smartphone use as promising strategies to improve prenatal oral health care utilization among US underserved women: results from a qualitative study

BackgroundData on barriers and facilitators to prenatal oral health care among low-income US women are lacking. The objective of this study was to understand barriers/facilitators and patient-centered mitigation strategies related to the use of prenatal oral health care among underserved US women.MethodsWe used community-based participatory research to conduct two focus groups with eight pregnant/parenting women; ten individual in-depth interviews with medical providers, dental providers and community/social workers; and one community engagement studio with five representative community stakeholders in 2018–2019. Using an interpretive description research design, we conducted semi-structured interviews and focus groups which were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed for thematic content.ResultsWe identified individual and systemic barriers/facilitators to the utilization of prenatal oral health care by underserved US women. Strategies reported to improve utilization included healthcare system-wide changes to promote inter-professional collaborations, innovative educational programs to improve dissemination and implementation of prenatal oral health care guidelines, and specialized dental facilities providing prenatal oral health care to underserved women. Moreover, smartphones have the potential to be an innovative entry point to promote utilization of prenatal oral care at the individual level.ConclusionsLow-income women face multiple, addressable barriers to obtaining oral health care during pregnancy. Inter-professional collaboration holds strong promise for improving prenatal oral health care utilization.

Anaphylaxis Management for Dentists: Knowledge and Preparedness

Background: Anaphylaxis is not common in dentistry, but poor anaphylaxis management may lead to mortality. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate dentists’ knowledge and preparedness to manage anaphylaxis. Materials and Methods: The study was designed as an online survey. It included questions about anaphylaxis management practices and the availability of equipment and medications in dental facilities. An online survey link was sent to members of the Turkish Dental Association (TDA). Results: A total of 952 TDA members responded to the survey. Fifty-seven point seven percent of dentists knew that adrenaline is the first choice drug to treat anaphylaxis. Fifty-two point four percent of dentists knew that intramuscular injection is the correct route of administration and 41.7% of dentists knew the correct dose to treat anaphylaxis. Only 15.3% of responding dentists answered all three questions correctly. Dentists who had previously been trained in the diagnosis and treatment of anaphylaxis performed better on questions about the first-choice drug, administration route, and dosage, when compared to untrained dentists (p<0.05). Of the responders, only 4.9% of dental facilities possessed complete medications and equipment capabilities to treat anaphylaxis. Conclusion: The majority of responding dentists did not seem to be aware of anaphylaxis management and did not have adequate equipment and medications for treatment of anaphylaxis in their dental facilities. There is an urgent need for undergraduate and postgraduate education programs to increase dentists’ ability to manage anaphylaxis. The availability of emergency anaphylaxis medication and equipment in dental facilities should be ensured.

Viability of Multi-Specialty Dental Center in Bacolod City

A Multi-Specialty Dental Center (MSDC) is one in which dentists share facilities, administration, income and expenses, support staff, and equipment. It is a single practice entity that provides general dentistry services in collaboration with the provision of one or more dental specialties. Moreover, dentists can specialize in related dental practices or offer a wide range of specialties. This business is relatively stable as it is a growing source of revenue. The primary purpose of a multi-specialty dental clinic is to serve all the needs of patients in one convenient location. Dental specialists can consult with each other and provide tests and radiological exams under one roof. Having a group of experts, dental professionals who can perform together to surpass a patient's dental or aesthetic objectives is an advantage. It is also essential to address a potential challenge within the multi-specialty dental facility.

Epidemiological profile of patients utilizing dental public health services in the eThekwini and uMgungundlovu districts of KwaZulu-Natal province, South Africa

INTRODUCTION: Oral conditions such as dental caries, periodontal diseases, tooth loss and trauma affect millions of people globally. These conditions can be prevented when detected early, thereby avoiding adverse outcomes. The prevalence of oral conditions has been reported in most provinces. However, there is a paucity of data in KwaZulu-Natal. AIM AND OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of oral conditions at public health facilities in two health districts in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional analytical study design was used to determine the nature of oral conditions treated in dental facilities in the eThekwini and uMgungundlovu districts, in KwaZulu-Natal. The study was conducted over a 5-month period (November 2018 - April 2019). After clinicians examined the patients they entered the data in the patients clinical records and selected information (routine medical history questions as well as 16 possible diagnosis codes) were entered into a data extraction template. The data were analyzed using statistical software SPSS. RESULTS: Dental caries was the most prevalent oral condition at 66.4% followed by periodontal disease at 11.7%, trauma at 7.3% and lastly tooth loss at 5.9% CONCLUSION: These findings contribute to knowledge on the prevalence of these oral conditions found in the province.

Oral health care-seeking behaviour and influencing factors among 18-34 years old women in Kochi, India

Background: Oral health, though an integral part of general health, is accorded low priority and remains an issue of neglect. Women during their reproductive years suffer from various oral problems that warrant timely utilization of care. Understanding factors affecting health-seeking behavior is necessary. The objective of this study was to determine the personal level and system-level factors that affect utilization of oral health care among 18-34 year-old women visiting a dental health care facility.Methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was conducted among 18-34 year old women. Participants were recruited using convenience sampling from a tertiary dental health care facility. A Chi-square test was used to determine the association of sociodemographic variables on factors affecting the utilization of oral care.Results: A total of 194 responses were obtained. The mean age of study participants was 27.1±5.2 years. Around 62% of women suffered from multiple dental problems in the past year of which tooth decay and swelling of gums were most common. About 68% of them sought treatment with a dentist. Half of the respondents were themselves responsible for making health care decisions. 55% of the participants reported barriers in availing dental care. The cost of dental treatment, fear of pain, and lack of time were the most commonly reported barriers.Conclusions: Oral health-seeking behaviour among women was found to be good with regard to dental attendance. Personal level barriers were greater than system-level barriers in availing dental care.

Impact of incarceration on nutritional status and oral health among male inmates of central jail of Jaipur city, India.

Aim: Prison is an especially difficult environment for promoting oral health and leads to the exacerbation of unhealthy behaviors. This study set out to assess the impact of incarceration on nutritional status and oral health among the male prison inmates of Central Jail of Jaipur city, Rajasthan, India.Material and method: A cross sectional study was conducted among 181 male inmates. Dental caries and periodontal status were assessed by using modified the Decayed Missing Filled Teeth (DMFT) index and Community Periodontal Index (CPI) and Loss of Attachment (LOA) index as per the WHO methodology 1997. Nutritional status was assessed by Body Mass Index (BMI) and weight (kg)/height (m2).Results:Out of 181 inmates, 141 (77.90%) had normal BMI. The majority (n=128, 70.70%) of inmates were incarcerated for less than 6 years. A significant difference (P<0.05) was found between age and periodontal status. A significant difference was observed (P<0.05) in the CPI score 3 and LOA 0 and 1 score. However, no significant difference (P>0.05) was observed in DMFT and period of incarceration. Age was the significant (P<0.001) risk factor for CPI and LOA.Discussion:Dental caries and periodontal health deteriorates with age and period of incarceration. Oral hygiene maintenance along with comprehensive oral care can be accomplished by establishing dental care facilities in prisons.

Cephalometric features of connective tissue dysplasia manifestation in children and adolescents

Relevance. The high prevalence of dysplastic disorders involving connective tissue, and its negative effecton the development of dentoalveolar anomalies, carious and non-carious lesions of the teeth, periodontopathy, temporomandibular joint issues in the child population, lay the basis for improving diagnostics algorithms. Enhancing the already available standards is of greatest importance for children at the initial stages of diagnostics when evaluating the external signs of dysplastic disorders.Purpose – improving diagnostics algorithms for connective tissue dysplasia (CTD) in children in primary dental care facilities based on the evaluation of external phenotype signs and maxillofacial morphological features.Materials and methods. Depending on the external phenotype manifestations severity, as well as on laboratory, clinical and instrumental signs, the 92 children with CTD were divided into groups with mild, moderate and severe degrees of undifferentiated dysplasia. Gnathometric and biometric examinations of the maxillofacial area were performed through traditional methods, whereas the diagnosis was set following the generally accepted classifications. The diagnosis confirmation implied evaluation through cone beam computed imaging.Results. The nature and the intensity of morphofunctional disorders in the craniofacial structures (“small” stigmas) depend on the severity of connective tissue dysplastic disorders.Conclusions. The change direction vector in the facial and brain parts of cranium in children with CTD is aimed at increasing hypoplastic tendencies and dolichocephalia, proof to that being the following constitutional and morphological features: the prevalence of the vertical type of face skeleton growth over the horizontal and neutral ones; a convex face profile with a disproportionate general heights of the face skeleton; reduction of latitudinal with an increase in altitude facial parameters; a narrow short branch of the lower jaw; the upper jaw displaced downwards and forward; a decrease in the size of the apical basis of the lower dentition, the lower jaw body, as well as the height and width of the lower jaw branches.

Hormonal Changes Across the Life Cycle of Women and its Effects on the Periodontium

In recent years, it has been realized that women’s oral health may differ from that of men in many areas.It is rightly said that the health of a woman’s body and oral cavity are bidirectional, hence women needexceptional dental health facilities and attention. The role that different endocrine hormones imbalancesduring puberty, 1st to 3rd trimester of pregnancy, menopause, oral contraceptive use, and females reproductivecycle details has the main role in various sex data in orofacial health status is supported by different medicalclinical trials. The oral conditions commonly observed during these phases of the lifecycle of femalesinclude inflamed gingiva, the formation of granulomatous tissue in the body, disease of periodontium,, andgrade 1,2,3 mobility of tooth. The closest bonding between status and worst dental health condition in thefemale will need excellent care in investigation plan that assimilates and controls for the diverse array oflurking varying, such as dental diseases (gingivitis, periodontitis and missing tooth), the whole history offemale’s reproductive physiology, and benefaction communal and financial variables. Dental practitionersneed to actively counsel female patients about general and oral health strategies so that they can maintaintheir oral health and maximize their quality of life. The effect of hormonal changes during the life cycle of afemale affects the prevalence and intensity of the oral disease. This understanding is helpful for a clinicianin rendering oral health care to these patients.

CDC Consultations for Outbreaks and Infection Control Breaches Occurring in Dental Settings, 2010–2019

Background: Documented transmission of infectious agents involving dental care is uncommon. However, increasing attention to dental infection control, along with several recent outbreaks, have identified infection control gaps in dental settings. We describe CDC consultations involving outbreaks or infection control lapses occurring in dental settings to identify areas for prevention efforts. Methods: We reviewed internal CDC records from January 1, 2010, through October 1, 2019, to identify consultations involving investigations of potential or confirmed disease transmission and infection control lapses in dental settings. We determined yearly number of consultations, number of patients infected, how disease transmission or infection control breaches were identified, suspected mode of transmission, type of infection control breaches identified, and whether at-risk patients were notified. Results: We identified 41 consultations, among 27 states, involving investigation of possible disease transmission or infection control lapses in dental facilities. The number of consultations increased from 11 to 30 between the first half (2010–2014) and the second half (2015–2019) of the period and involved at least 113 infections confirmed or suspected to be associated with dental procedures. Most investigations (n = 29, 71%) began with identification of infection control breaches absent known patient infections; 8 (20%) investigations were initiated after identification of a single patient infection raised concerns for possible transmission associated with dental care (eg, single case of acute hepatitis B infection absent other risk factors). Moreover, 4 investigations involved &gt;1 patient infection; 3 were outbreaks confirmed to be due to poor infection control practices. The most common infection control breaches were lapses in dental instrument reprocessing (n = 28, 78%), for example, failure to sterilize dental handpieces or failure to use biologic indicators. Of the 23 consultations where patient notification activities were discussed, 17 (74%) resulted in notification; &gt;20,000 patients received information about their potential exposure, usually accompanied by advice on seeking screening tests. Conclusions: Dental-related consultations have increased in recent years, and they highlight the need for improved infection control training of dental healthcare personnel, especially related to dental instrument reprocessing. The CDC Division of Oral Health and the Organization for Safety, Asepsis, and Prevention offers tools, training, and other resources to help dental facilities improve infection control practices. Not all investigations resulted in notifying at-risk patients, but notification should be strongly considered, especially when serious breaches are identified, to promote transparency and help identify disease transmission that could otherwise go undetected.Funding: NoneDisclosures: None

MYTHS and reality regarding wisdom tooth in Indian population

Around 70% of Indian population complains of pain due to wisdom tooth, but still try to avoid visits to the dental services just because of fear and various myths about wisdom tooth. In India, people still are unaware about dental treatment facilities and advances reached in the field of dentistry. This may be because of negligence towards proper oral hygiene and dental care. But as the dental fraternity is spreading across the nation, it becomes important to remove the myths and explain the reality about dental treatment and advantages. In this article, we have tried to explain various myths and reality about wisdom tooth in general population.

Anti-epidemic measures against the proliferation of the novel coronavirus infection SARS-COV-2

The novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) is an acute respiratory disease caused by a new coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2). The SARS-CoV-2 virus is assigned to the II group of pathogenicity in accordance with the sanitary legislation of the Russian Federation. The infection is included in the list of diseases that pose a danger to others (the Government Decree of the Russian Federation from 31.01.2020 No. 66). Dental facilities are at epidemiological risk; all patients are considered as potentially infected with hemocontact and aspiration infections. Disinfection in dental institutions is carried out according to the regime between viruses and fungi of the genus Candida; the mask regime is continuous. The protection against infections of the patient and medical personnel in dental institutions has always been an extremely urgent problem and especially now, during the period of the new coronavirus infection SARS-CoV-2. The purpose of medical dental institutions is to prevent and implement measures to interrupt the transmission of infections related to the provision of medical care (IRMC).

Changes in conditions related to reported oral and general health over a ten‐year period as reflected in two cohorts of 75‐year‐old subjects examined in 2007 and 2017

The rapidly ageing and increasingly dentate population puts great demands on society regarding the provision of adequate medical and dental care facilities. To present changes in reported demographic, general and oral health factors in two cohorts of 75year olds in 2007 and 2017, and to analyse factors associated with self-reported number of remaining teeth and chewing efficiency. All 75-year-old people living in two Swedish counties received a questionnaire in 2007 and in 2017. The response rates in 2007 and in 2017 were 71.9% (n=3735) and 70.7% (n=5091), respectively. Reported number of teeth was clinically validated in a selected subgroup. The 2017 cohort reported significantly better general health and dental state. Edentulousness was 7.8% in 2007 and 2.3% in 2017, while 'very good' chewing efficiency was 55.2% and 60.5%, respectively. Born outside Sweden, single living, not feeling healthy and smoking predicted reduced number of teeth in both cohorts. Impaired chewing efficiency in both cohorts was predicted by being born outside Sweden, lower education, not feeling healthy, reduced number of teeth and denture wearing. Seventy-five-year-old people in Sweden reported much better oral and general health in 2017 compared to 2007. In 2017, 75% had practically all natural teeth present and only 2% were edentulous. This development of an increasingly dentate and partially dentate ageing population will put high demands on the oral healthcare system and will need adapting undergraduate/postgraduate education and management strategies to meet the requirements of the elderly.

Perceived Performance of Cooperating Schools: Gearing Towards Future Policies

Part of providing quality education is the quest to continually improve one’s service delivery since competition is now the essence of time. In the academic field, inputs in the life of pre-service teachers are considered to be of utmost significance. These include the cooperating teachers as well as the cooperating officials who may directly or indirectly influence the future would-be-teachers, the learners who may inspire them more and the learning environment that may significantly affect their desire to enter the world of teaching upon completion of the internship. This study determined the performance of the cooperating schools as perceived by the selected elementary and secondary education students enrolled during the second semester of the calendar year 2019 in one of the higher education institutions in the Philippines offering a teacher-education program. Employing the quantitative (descriptive) research design, the results revealed that the cooperating schools’ over-all performance was excellent. However, the performance rank of the indicated factors along the cooperating schools’ selected variables (i.e. cooperating teachers, cooperating officials, learners, and learning environment) vary. In general, among all the factors included in the four main elements in the cooperating school; the learning environment particularly on functional, medical and dental facilities gained a very good rating.

Dental Facilities During the New Corona Outbreak: A SWOT Analysis.

Recently, there have been many global outbreaks of diseases. The latest is the coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The virus has spread worldwide and is transmitted mainly through droplets or by touching contaminated surfaces. Globally, healthcare systems are challenged due to a lack of workplace safety and professional obligations in addition to the rapid spread of the virus. Dental facilities are at greater risk due to the nature of dental care. The aim of this review study was to provide a situational analysis within dental facilities during the new COVID-19 outbreak. Published papers concerning dental facilities and COVID-19 were retrieved from PubMed, search engines, and organizational websites. All data were reviewed, arranged into themes, and then categorized either as strengths or weaknesses with respect to addressing the COVID-19 pandemic in dental facilities, and accordingly, threats and possible opportunities to the handling of the pandemic were identified. Preparedness of dental facilities during the current pandemic is a weakness that needs to be addressed promptly. Shortage of dental care providers, cyber security, economic losses, and ethical challenges are possible threats due to the current outbreak. Coordination and prompt communication among all healthcare providers during such outbreaks is a strength that needs to be supported. This strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) analysis can be a useful tool for guiding decision-making as it is crucial during the current pandemic to work on weaknesses, avoid threats, and utilize all future opportunities.

O novo normal da Odontologia: revisão das recomendações para retomada da assistência odontológica durante a pandemia da COVID-19

Objetivo: este artigo tem como objetivos identificar as recomendações para a retomada dos atendimentos odontológicos eletivos após surto epidêmico da COVID-19 e identificar os consensos e controvérsias entre as sugestões encontradas nos documentos. Material e Métodos: foi realizada uma pesquisa documental comparativa sobre as recomendações para o retorno do atendimento odontológico eletivo após o surto epidêmico da COVID-19. Secundariamente, foi realizada uma revisão da literatura a partir de busca nas bases: Portal Regional da Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde (BVS), que incorpora Lilacs, SciELO, MEDLINE, a partir da estratégia de busca (“COVID-19” AND “dentistry”). Resultados: foram analisados documentos oficiais do Ministério da Saúde ou de órgãos correspondentes e de entidades de classe de onze diferentes países do mundo e encontrados seis artigos que abordavam as recomendações para o retorno aos atendimentos eletivos. Conclusão: há um consenso quanto aos requisitos para as instalações do consultório, à indicação de realização de triagem antes do agendamento e atendimento e quanto aos cuidados recomendados durante o atendimento. Não há consenso quanto ao uso de bochechos antissépticos prévios ao procedimento, ao uso sistemático de testes rápidos antes do atendimento, ao tipo de proteção respiratória que deve ser utilizada pela equipe odontológica e ao tempo mínimo de pausa antes da realização da higienização da sala de trabalho quando são realizados procedimentos geradores de aerossol.

Oral health and its effect on mental health of prison inmates: A review and experience

The idea of justice used to be retributive and sought to exact the worst of punishments upon convicts. However, with universal human rights, the concept of justice and tenets of humanity have so evolved internationally that they seeks reformation of outlaws and accord basic human dignity to them even during incarceration. Healthcare, inclusive of care for dental hygiene, constitutes an integral part of such human rights but this subject continues to be neglected in a lot of modern prison systems, leading to absolute dereliction of dental care. This study seeks to evaluate the provisions of dental care in Indian prison system through the author’s own experience from volunteering at an Indian jail and a series of interviews of Jail Superintendent, a prison inmate and an NGO dedicated to rehabilitation of prison inmates. It aims to identify the hurdles at providing the full range of dental care facilities in prisons and the solutions to these problems.

Is Fluorescence Technology a Promising Tool for Detecting Infected Dentin in Deep Carious Lesions?

The purpose of this study was to determine if the degree of fluorescence detected by fluorescence-aided caries excavation (FACE) correlates with dentin bacterial microbiome diversity, as assessed by 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing, and with traditional tactile dentin caries assessment. Unidentified human teeth were obtained from a dental facility. The included teeth had a carious lesion two-thirds into the dentin, verified by radiography, and were red-fluorescing (RF) using FACE technology (SIROInspect; Sirona, Bensheim, Germany). Two independent examiners performed visual/tactile assessment of the lesions. RF sites were sampled with a sterile spoon excavator and dentin characteristics were evaluated. Once RF dentin was removed, a second sample of pink-fluorescing (PF) dentin was obtained. After excavation with a sterile round bur to nonfluorescing (NF) dentin, a third sample was collected with a slow-speed round bur. The samples were processed at the UNC (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill) Microbiome Core Facility. Out of 134 extracted teeth collected, 21 fit the inclusion criteria, yielding 61 dentin samples. RF samples had the highest number of observed operational taxonomic units (n = 154), followed by PF (n = 109) and NF (n = 100). RF carious dentin was primarily “soft,” and NF dentin was assessed as “hard” 100% of the time by both examiners (rank correlation χ²: p < 0.001). However, approximately one-third of the tactile assessments of hard dentin still displayed some fluorescence, either pink or red. We concluded that the sampled fluorescing (RF and PF) and NF carious dentin layers displayed diverse bacterial taxa, and tactile assessments of soft, leathery, and hard corresponded with RF, PF, and NF.

Precautions and recommendations for orthodontic settings during the COVID-19 outbreak: A review

IntroductionCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a contagious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2). It emerged as a global pandemic in early 2020, affecting more than 200 countries and territories. The infection is highly contagious, with disease transmission reported from asymptomatic carriers, including children. It spreads through person-to-person contact via aerosol and droplets. The practice of social distancing—maintaining a distance of 1-2 m or 6 ft—between people has been recommended widely to slow or halt the spread. In orthodontics, this distance is difficult to maintain, which places orthodontists at a high risk of acquiring and transmitting the infection. The objective of this review is to report to orthodontists on the emergence, epidemiology, risks, and precautions during the disease crisis. This review should help increase awareness, reinforce infection control, and prevent cross-transmission within the orthodontic facility.MethodsA comprehensive literature review of English and non-English articles was performed in March 2020 using COVID-19 Open Research Dataset (CORD-19 2020), PubMed, MEDLINE, Scopus, and Google Scholar to search for infection control and disease transmission in orthodontics.ResultsThis review emphasizes minimizing aerosol production and reinforcing strict infection control measures. Compliance with the highest level of personal protection and restriction of treatment to emergency cases is recommended during the outbreak. Surface disinfection, adequate ventilation, and decontamination of instruments and supplies following the guidelines are required.ConclusionsReinforcing strict infection control measures and minimizing personal contact and aerosol production are keys to prevent contamination within orthodontic settings. Although no cases of COVID-19 cross-transmission within a dental facility have been reported, the risk exists, and the disease is still emerging. Further studies are required.

Using Nonexpert Online Reports to Enhance Expert Knowledge About Causes of Death in Dental Offices Reported in Scientific Publications: Qualitative and Quantitative Content Analysis and Search Engine Analysis.

BackgroundFatalities rarely occur in dental offices. Implications for clinicians may be deduced from scientific publications and internet reports about deaths in dental offices.ObjectiveData involving deaths in dental facilities were analyzed using Google as well as the PubMed database. By comparing both sources, we examined how internet data may enhance knowledge about deaths in dental offices obtained from scientific medical publications, which causes of death are published online, and how associated life-threatening emergencies may be prevented.MethodsTo retrieve relevant information, we searched Google for country-specific incidents of death in dental practices using the following keywords: “death at the dentist,” “death in dental practice,” and “dying at the dentist.” For PubMed searches, the following keywords were used: “dentistry and mortality,” “death and dental treatment,” “dentistry and fatal outcome,” and “death and dentistry.” Deaths associated with dental treatment in a dental facility, attributable causes of death, and documented ages of the deceased were included in our analysis. Deaths occurring in maxillofacial surgery or pre-existing diseases involved in the death (eg, cancer and abscesses) were excluded. A total of 128 cases from online publications and 71 cases from PubMed publications that met the inclusion criteria were analyzed using chi-square statistics after exclusion of duplicates.ResultsThe comparison between the fatalities from internet (n=117) and PubMed (n=71) publications revealed that more casualties affecting minors appeared online than in PubMed literature (online 68/117, 58.1%; PubMed 20/71, 28%; P<.001). In PubMed articles, 10 fatalities in patients older than 70 years of age were described, while online sources published 5 fatalities (P=.02). Most deaths, both from internet publications and PubMed literature, could be assigned to the category anesthesia, medication, or sedation (online 80/117, 68.4%; PubMed 25/71, 35%; P<.001). Deaths assigned to the categories infection and cardiovascular system appeared more often in the PubMed literature (infection: online 10/117, 8.5%; PubMed 15/71, 21%; P=.01; cardiovascular system: online 5/117, 4.3%; PubMed 15/71, 21%; P<.001). Furthermore, sedative drugs were involved in a larger proportion of fatal incidents listed online compared to in PubMed (online 41/117, 35.0%; PubMed: 14/71, 20%, P=.03). In the United States, more deaths occurred under sedation (44/96, 46%) compared to those in the other countries (Germany and Austria 1/17, 6%, P=.002; United Kingdom 1/14, 7%, P=.006).ConclusionsOnline and PubMed databases may increase awareness of life-threatening risks for patients during dental treatment. Negative aspects of anesthesia and sedation, as well as the number of deaths of young patients, were underestimated when reviewing PubMed literature only. Medical history of patients, medication dosages, and vital function monitoring are significant issues for practitioners. A high-impact finding from online reports was the underestimation of risks when performing sedation and even general anesthesia. Detailed knowledge of the definition and understanding of deep sedation and general anesthesia by dentists is of major concern. By avoiding potentially hazardous procedures, such as sedation-aided treatments performed solely by dentists, the risk of treatment-induced life-threatening emergencies may be reduced.

Guidelines for dental care provision during the COVID-19 pandemic

Since the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak was declared a pandemic on 11 March 2020. Several dental care facilities in affected countries have been completely closed or have been only providing minimal treatment for emergency cases. However, several facilities in some affected countries are still providing regular dental treatment. This can in part be a result of the lack of universal protocol or guidelines regulating the dental care provision during such a pandemic. This lack of guidelines can on one hand increase the nosocomial COVID-19 spread through dental health care facilities, and on the other hand deprive patients’ in need of the required urgent dental care. Moreover, ceasing dental care provision during such a period will incense the burden on hospitals emergency departments already struggle with the pandemic.This work aimed to develop guidelines for dental patients’ management during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.Guidelines for dental care provision during the COVID-19 pandemic were developed after considering the nature of COVID-19 pandemic, and were based on grouping the patients according to condition and need, and considering the procedures according to risk and benefit.It is hoped that the guidelines proposed in this work will help in the management of dental care around the world during and after this COVID-19 pandemic.