Position Statement of IACDE for managing dental patients during COVID-19

Prevalence of dental caries among coronavirus disease 2019-recovered patients and correlation with salivary total antioxidant capacity in Kalaburagi region of Indian subpopulation

Background

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has vastly affected mankind worldwide, and its long-term effect on oral health needs to be studied.

Aims

The aim of the study was to evaluate the prevalence of dental caries and its correlation with salivary total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in Kalaburagi region of the Indian subpopulation.

Methods

About 80 subjects (16-55 years) were included in the study based on selection criteria and were divided into two groups (n = 40). Group 1: no history of COVID-19 infection and Group 2: COVID-19-recovered subjects. Each group was subdivided into two subgroups (n = 20) A and B with and without dental caries. Dental caries was assessed using the decay, missing, filled, treatment (DMFT) index by the World Health Organization. About 5 ml of unstimulated saliva samples was collected and centrifuged at 2000 rpm for 10 min, and the supernatants were collected. Salivary TAC was estimated using 2,2'-azino-bis-[3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic] acid assay and observed under spectrophotometer (734 nm).

Statistical Analysis

Data were analyzed using the Shapiro-Wilk test for normality distribution followed by one-way analysis of variance and post hoc Tukey test (P < 0.05).

Results

COVID-19-recovered subjects showed a higher prevalence of dental caries and lower TAC levels than non-COVID-19 subjects.

Conclusion

Higher prevalence of dental caries with lower levels of salivary TAC was found in COVID-19-recovered individuals.

Clinical evaluation of winged versus wingless rubber dam clamps in single tooth isolation - A randomized clinical study

Context

Retention of the rubber dam is done with metallic or nonmetallic clamps for isolation. The two types of metallic clamps most frequently used are winged and wingless. The clinical efficacy of both clamps is needed to be compared.

Aim

The aim of the study was to evaluate and compare the postoperative pain and clinical efficacy of winged clamps and wingless metallic clamps in rubber dam isolation of permanent molars in class I restoration.

Materials and Methods

After obtaining ethical approval and CTRI registration, a total of 60 patients with mild-to-moderate deep class I caries were included after obtaining informed consent and randomly allocated into two assigned groups: Group A - winged clamp and Group B - wingless clamp, with n = 30 per group. Local anesthesia was administered and the tooth was isolated using a rubber dam as per the standardized protocol. The postoperative evaluation was done for pain using the Verbal Rating Scale (VRS) at 6 and 12 h; trauma to the gingival tissues, sealing ability of the clamp, and slippage of the clamp were evaluated using criteria for clinical evaluation of rubber dam isolation.

Statistical Analysis Used

Independent t-test and Chi-square test were used to compare VRS and clinical parameters, respectively, with P < 0.05.

Results

Gingival trauma (P = 0.006) and postoperative pain were statistically significantly more in the wingless group at 6 h (P = 0.016) and 12 h (0.01). Statistically significant lower seepage of fluid (P = 0.017) was observed in the wingless group. Slippage was observed more with the winged group but was statistically insignificant.

Conclusion

Both clamps showed acceptable clinical performance. Their use should be planned as per the requisite of the case and the position of the tooth.