Early postoperative outcomes of diverting loop ileostomy closure surgery following laparoscopic versus open colorectal surgery.

BACKGROUND: Although diverting loop ileostomy (DLI) formation reduces the consequences of anastomotic leak and may also decrease the incidence of this severe complication, DLI closure can result in significant complications. The laparoscopic approach in colorectal surgery has numerous benefits, including reduced length of stay (LOS), less wound infection, and better cosmesis. The aim of this study was to determine whether a laparoscopic approach at the time of the ileostomy creation has a beneficial effect on the outcomes of ileostomy closure. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of an IRB-approved prospective database was performed for all patients who underwent DLI closure between 2010 and 2017. Patients' demographics, operative reports, and postoperative course were reviewed. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS software and included descriptive statistics, Chi-square for categorical variables, and Student's t tests for continuous variables. Skewed variables were compared using the non-parametric Mann-Whitney U test. Regression analysis for overall complications and LOS were preformed to further assess the impact of laparoscopy. RESULTS: We identified 795 patients (363 females) who underwent DLI reversal surgery. The surgical approach in the index operation was laparoscopy in 65% of patients. Conversion to laparotomy at the ileostomy closure occurred in 6.1% of patients. The overall complication rate was lower and the LOS was shorter for patients who underwent DLI closure following laparoscopic surgery. Laparoscopy at the index operation was also associated with a lower incidence of postoperative ileus and a lower estimated blood loss (EBL) at the time of DLI reversal. Multivariate regression analysis found laparoscopy to have significant benefits compared to laparotomy for overall complications and for LOS. CONCLUSION: Ileostomy closure following laparoscopic colorectal surgery offers benefits including reductions in LOS and overall complications.

Metastatic Uterine Carcinosarcoma to the Orbit.

Metastases of solid tumors to the eye and ocular adnexa are rare. Herein, the authors describe the clinical, histologic, and immunohistochemical findings of a patient with a history of adenocarcinoma of the colon and a uterine carcinosarcoma (malignant mixed Müllerian tumor) who presented with proptosis and decreased vision. Positive staining with PAX-8, p16 and negative reaction for CK20 and CDX2 helped to establish the uterine origin of the metastasis. This rare case demonstrates the utility of immunohistochemical probes, especially in patients with a complex oncological history, where multiple primary sources of the metastasis are in the differential diagnosis.

Perceptions among Muslims regarding fasting, medication use and provider engagement during Ramadan in the United States.

BACKGROUND: Muslims with chronic diseases tend to fast during Ramadan, although Islam allows them not to fast. Therefore, understanding their perceptions and how they manage their health, especially as a minority population, is very important. OBJECTIVE: To examine Muslims' (1) perceptions of fasting exemptions, (2) medication usage behaviour, (3) perceptions of relationships with healthcare providers and (4) factors impacting health management during Ramadan. METHOD: This was a qualitative study employing four focus groups (two groups of women and two groups of men). Adult Muslims (aged 18 years or more) with chronic diseases were invited to participate. Participants were asked open-ended questions about their fasting ability, medication usage behaviours, healthcare access and collaboration with providers during Ramadan. Trained researchers conducted the focus groups interviews in both English and Arabic. Each focus group was recorded, and three investigators independently transcribed the data and extracted themes and categories. Coding terminology issues were resolved through discussion. RESULTS: Twenty-five Muslims with chronic diseases (e.g., diabetes, hypertension, renal failure and anaemia) participated. The most prominent themes/subthemes were as follows: (1) fasting exemption (e.g., uncontrolled medical conditions), (2) fasting nonexemption (e.g., controlled medical conditions), (3) nonoral medication use during Ramadan, (4) healthcare provider involvement during Ramadan, and (5) factors impacting health management during Ramadan. CONCLUSION: Muslim patients perceive fasting as an important religious practice, so they tend to self-modify their medication-taking behaviours. Educating pharmacists and other healthcare providers about Muslim culture, especially their strong desire to fast, may lead to Muslims better managing their medications and viewing pharmacists and other healthcare providers as knowledgeable healthcare providers.

Multivariate Prediction of Intraoperative Abandonment of Ileal Pouch Anal Anastomosis.

BACKGROUND: Restorative total proctocolectomy with IPAA may not be feasible in some patients because of technical intraoperative limitations. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess preoperative predictors for intraoperative IPAA and review management. DESIGN: This is a retrospective review. SETTING: This study was conducted at Cleveland Clinic between January 2010 and May 2018. PATIENTS: Patients ≥18 years of age who underwent ileoanal pouch surgery were included. Patients with successful pouch creation as planned were grouped as "successful IPAA creation." Operative reports of patients who underwent alternative procedures were reviewed to identify cases when the pouch was preoperatively planned but intraoperatively abandoned (IPAA-abandoned group). Multivariate logistic regression models were developed to determine predictors of intraoperative pouch abandonment. We also reviewed the management of patients in whom the initial pouch creation failed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcomes measured were preoperative predictors for intraoperative ileoanal pouch abandonment. RESULTS: A total of 1438 patients were offered an ileoanal pouch; 21 (1.5%) experienced pouch abandonment due to inadequate reach (n = 17) and other technical reasons (n = 4). These patients underwent alternative procedures such as end or loop ileostomy with/without proctectomy. Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated male sex (OR, 6.021; 95% CI, 1.540-23.534), BMI (OR, 1.217; 95% CI, 1.114-1.329), and a 2-stage procedure (OR, 14.510; 95% CI, 4.123-51.064) as independent factors associated with intraoperative abandonment of pouch creation. Alternative procedures were total proctocolectomy with end ileostomy (n = 14) and total abdominal colectomy with end ileostomy without proctectomy (n = 7). Ultimately, pouch creation was achieved in 6 of 21 patients after a median interval of 8.8 (range, 4.1-34.8) months. All patients had intentional weight loss before a reattempt and total abdominal colectomy with end ileostomy without proctectomy as their initial procedure. LIMITATIONS: This study was limited by its retrospective nature. CONCLUSIONS: Ileoanal pouch abandonment is rare and can be mitigated by initial total abdominal colectomy and weight loss. Male, obese patients are at a higher risk of failure. Intraoperative assessment of ileoanal pouch feasibility should occur before rectal dissection. See Video Abstract at http://links.lww.com/DCR/B156. PREDICCIÓN MULTIVARIANTE DEL ABANDONO INTRAOPERATORIO DE LA ANASTOMOSIS ANAL CON BOLSA ILEAL: La proctocolectomía total restaurativa con anastomosis de bolsa ileoanal puede no ser posible en algunos pacientes debido a limitaciones técnicas intraoperatorias.Evaluar los predictores preoperatorios para el abandono intraoperatorio de la bolsa ileoanal y revisar el manejo.Revisión retrospectiva.Cleveland Clinic entre Enero de 2010 y mayo de 2018.Pacientes > 18 años que se sometieron a cirugía de bolsa ileoanal. Los pacientes con una creación exitosa de la bolsa según lo planeado se agruparon como "creación exitosa de anastomosis de bolsa ileoanal". Se revisaron los informes operativos de los pacientes que se sometieron a procedimientos alternativos para identificar los casos en que la bolsa se planificó preoperatoriamente pero se abandonó intraoperatoriamente (grupo de "anastomosis anal de bolsa ileoanal abandonada"). Se desarrollaron modelos de regresión logística multivariante para determinar los predictores del abandono intraoperatorio de la bolsa. También revisamos el manejo de pacientes que fallaron en la creación inicial de la bolsa.Predictores preoperatorios para el abandono intraoperatorio de la bolsa ileoanal.A un total de 1438 pacientes se les ofreció una bolsa ileoanal; 21 (1.5%) experimentaron abandono de la bolsa debido a un alcance inadecuado (n = 17) y otras razones técnicas (n = 4). Estos pacientes se sometieron a procedimientos alternativos como ileostomía final o de asa con / sin proctectomía. El análisis de regresión logística multivariante indicó género masculino (OR, 6.021; IC 95%, 1.540-23.534), índice de masa corporal (OR, 1.217; IC 95%, 1.114-1.329) y procedimiento en 2 etapas (OR, 14.510; IC 95%, 4.123-51.064) como factores independientes asociados con el abandono intraoperatorio de la creación de la bolsa. Los procedimientos alternativos fueron la proctocolectomía total con ileostomía final (n = 14) y la colectomía abdominal total con ileostomía final sin proctectomía (n = 7). Finalmente, la creación de la bolsa se logró en 6/21 pacientes después de un intervalo medio de 8.8 (rango, 4.1-34.8) meses. Todos los pacientes tuvieron pérdida de peso intencional antes de la reintenta y colectomía abdominal total con ileostomía final sin proctectomía como procedimiento inicial.Naturaleza retrospectiva.El abandono de la bolsa ileoanal es raro y puede mitigarse mediante la colectomía abdominal total inicial y la pérdida de peso. Los pacientes masculinos y obesos tienen un mayor riesgo de fracaso. La evaluación intraoperatoria de la viabilidad de la bolsa ileoanal debe ocurrir antes de la disección rectal. Consulte Video Resumen en http://links.lww.com/DCR/B156. (Traducción-Dr. Yesenia Rojas-Kahlil).

Concurrent gastrointestinal perforation and pulmonary embolism due to bevacizumab in an adult undergoing treatment for stage IV colon cancer.

Bevacizumab is an important component in the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer when used with 5-fluorouracil, leucovorin and oxaliplatin or irinotecan. As a molecular target agent, it is considered to be less toxic than traditional chemotherapy; however, bevacizumab has been shown to cause serious, life-threatening adverse effects. The following report describes a case of bevacizumab-associated pulmonary embolism with simultaneous gastrointestinal perforation in a patient with stage IV adenocarcinoma of the descending colon. This case report and literature review describes the risk factors, etiology, and typical presentation of bevacizumab-induced gastrointestinal perforation and pulmonary embolism.

Eyelid Eccrine Cyst: An Exceptional Lesion Among Dominant Apocrine Cysts.

A 71-year-old woman developed a small bluish lesion beneath the cilia of the left lower eyelid. Excision and microscopic examination disclosed a cyst with an intimately associated eccrine sweat gland. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated that the cyst's epithelium was strongly CK5/6, CK14, CK7 weakly positive, and gross cystic disease fluid protein-15 and smooth muscle actin negative. This is the first immunohistochemically proven eccrine cyst of the eyelid skin. Apocrine cysts develop only at the eyelid margin where the glands of Moll are located. They immunostain positively for cytoplasmic gross cystic disease fluid protein-15 in the adlumenal cells and smooth muscle actin in an outer myoepithelial (abluminal) layer.

Relaxing descemetotomy: microscope-integrated OCT-guided technique for acute corneal hydrops.

Introduction: 3 cases are used to illustrate the technique of Descemet membrane (DM) relaxing incisions followed by air descemetopexy for the management of patients with acute corneal hydrops. Patients and Clinical Findings: In each case, anterior-segment optical coherence tomography (OCT) demonstrated taut DM detachments and hydrops was refractory to conservative medical management and intracameral air injection. Diagnosis Intervention and Outcomes: To facilitate the reapproximation of DM and potentiate corneal deturgescence, intraoperative OCT-guided descemetotomy was performed with bent surgical scissors and a bent 30-gauge needle. Subsequent air descemetopexy was successful, and DM reattachment was maintained postoperatively. Corneal edema improved in all patients relatively rapidly postoperatively. Conclusions: Relaxing descemetotomy with air descemetopexy may be useful in cases of acute corneal hydrops with taut DM detachments that are unresponsive to air tamponade alone.

Exploring the Sensing Potential of g-C3N4 versus Li/g-C3N4 Nanoflakes toward Hazardous Organic Volatiles: A DFT Simulation Study.

Ab initio calculations were performed to determine the sensing behavior of g-C3N4 and Li metal-doped g-C3N4 (Li/g-C3N4) quantum dots toward toxic compounds acetamide (AA), benzamide (BA), and their thio-analogues, namely, thioacetamide (TAA) and thiobenzamide (TAA). For optimization and interaction energies, the ωB97XD/6-31G(d,p) level of theory was used. Interaction energies (Eint) illustrate the high thermodynamic stabilities of the designed complexes due to the presence of the noncovalent interactions. The presence of electrostatic forces in some complexes is also observed. The observed trend of Eint in g-C3N4 complexes was BA > TAA > AA > TBA, while in Li/g-C3N4, the trend was BA > AA > TBA > TAA. The electronic properties were studied by frontier molecular orbital (FMO) and natural bond orbital analyses. According to FMO, lithium metal doping greatly enhanced the conductivity of the complexes by generating new HOMOs near the Fermi level. A significant amount of charge transfer was also observed in complexes, reflecting the increase in charge conductivity. NCI and QTAIM analyses evidenced the presence of significant noncovalent dispersion and electrostatic forces in Li/g-C3N4 and respective complexes. Charge decomposition analysis gave an idea of the transfer of charge density between quantum dots and analytes. Finally, TD-DFT explained the optical behavior of the reported complexes. The findings of this study suggested that both bare g-C3N4 and Li/g-C3N4 can effectively be used as atmospheric sensors having excellent adsorbing properties toward toxic analytes.

The metabolic deterioration that antedates diabetes: personal trajectories of HbA(1c) and fasting glucose as early indicators and possible triggers for intervention.

HbA(1c) testing has become an accepted means of diagnosing diabetes as an alternative to blood glucose levels. However, population-based norms of glucose and of HbA(1c) levels do not enable the detection of diabetes at an early enough stage to thwart complications. Personal trajectories of glucose levels show steep increases a number of years prior to diabetes diagnosis. Here, we hypothesize that a comparable time-dependent deviation in an individual's HbA(1c) level may be an early manifestation of disease that should prompt lifestyle modifications. We predict that analysis of personal trajectories of glucose and of HbA(1c) will promote earlier intervention and a greater reduction in disease complications than current standards, which are based on population-based norms.

Penetrating Keratoplasty: Indications and Graft Survival by Geographic Region.

Corneal transplantation, or penetrating keratoplasty (PK), is the most common form of solid-organ transplantation performed worldwide. Here, we evaluated the indications for PK and rates of transplant survival around the world by geographic region. We conducted a literature search of PubMed, MEDLINE, and Google Scholar databases and identified 155 relevant studies from 41 countries published between 1987 and 2021. The most common indications for PK were keratoconus in Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Australia, New Zealand, and Central and South America, bullous keratopathy in North America, and corneal scarring in Asia. The overall global mean graft survival rates at 1-, 2-, 3-, 5-, and 10-years were 88.6%, 81.2%, 78.9%, 72.8%, and 61.2%, respectively. Through this systematic analysis of PK by region, we hope to bring a new perspective to the corneal transplantation literature and to potentially highlight global differences and unmet needs in patient care.

Clinical outcomes of prestripped, prestained, and preloaded Descemet's membrane endothelial keratoplasty ("P3 DMEK").

PURPOSE: Despite faster healing and reduced risk of rejection, some surgeons are hesitant to adopt Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) due to difficult intraoperative tissue preparation. Use of eye bank prestripped, prestained, and preloaded (p3) DMEK tissue can reduce the learning curve and risk of complications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a prospective study including 167 eyes undergoing p3 DMEK and compared outcomes to a retrospective chart review of 201 eyes that underwent standard DMEK surgery. The primary outcomes were graft failure, detachment, and re-bubbling frequency. The secondary outcomes included baseline and postoperative visual acuity at months 1, 3, 6, and 12. Baseline and postoperative central corneal thickness (CCT) and endothelial cell counts (ECC) were collected. RESULTS: ECC decrease for p3 DMEK at 3, 6, and 12 months were 15.0%, 18.0%, and 21.0%, respectively. Forty (24%) of p3 DMEK and 72 (35.8%) of standard DMEK eyes had at least a partial graft detachment. There was no difference in CCT, graft failures, or re-bubble frequency. At 6 months, mean visual acuity was 20/26 and 20/24 for standard and p3 DMEK, respectively. Mean case time for p3 DMEK with phaco or p3 DMEK alone was 33 and 24 min, respectively. Mean case time for eyes undergoing DMEK with phaco or DMEK alone was 59 and 45 min, respectively. CONCLUSION: P3 DMEK tissue is safe and can provide excellent clinical outcomes that are comparable to standard DMEK tissue. Eyes undergoing p3 DMEK may have lower graft detachment and ECC loss.

Evaluation of the Success of Conventional and Biological Restorative Treatment Approaches for Caries in Primary Molars: An In Vivo Study.

Background: In order to compare the clinical and radiographic success of three treatment modalities-conventional restoration (CR), nonrestorative caries treatment (NRCT), and Hall technique (HT), with a 3-month to 1 year follow-up in deciduous molars with occlusal or proximal carious lesions. Design: Children between the ages of 5 and 8 were chosen for the study, having a total of 120 teeth. They were split into three groups, each with 40 participants-CR, HT, and NRCT. Clinical and radiographic evaluation was done at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months. Data were statistically analyzed. Results: The Chi-squared value and p-value were found to be insignificant when comparing clinical and radiographic ratings of all three groups at 3, 6, 9, and 12-month intervals. Conclusion: Hall technique (HT) performed better than CR. NRCT was more acceptable to patients than CR. How to cite this article: Undre MI, Chunawala Y, Choubey S, et al. Evaluation of the Success of Conventional and Biological Restorative Treatment Approaches for Caries in Primary Molars: An In Vivo Study. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2023;16(4):591-597.

Use of Optical Coherence Tomography in Dentistry.

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is an optics-based imaging technique, which may be called an "optical biopsy." It can be used to acquire structural information about a tissue at a resolution comparable to histopathology. OCT is based on the principle of low-coherence interferometry where near-infrared (NIR) light is shown on a tissue sample and then cross-sectional images are obtained based on backscattered light and echo time delay. Two main types of OCT are characterized as time-domain OCT (TD-OCT) and Fourier-domain OCT (FD-OCT). The applications of OCT in dentistry can be broadly divided into two groups, i.e., assessment of pathologies and assessment of surfaces and interfaces. Lately, OCT has made its transition from experimental laboratories to mainstream clinical applications. Starting from the short-term training courses, clinicians working in specialities like oral pathology, oral medicine, and oral implantology may find it a useful tool for their practices. It is now clear that OCT will be considered a gold standard diagnostic tool for the detection and characterization of several conditions and lesions of the orofacial region. However, the next challenge will be to incorporate it into the undergraduate and postgraduate curriculum and train dental healthcare staff in the use of these devices.

Insulin's discovery: new insights on its ninetieth birthday.

2012 marks the 90th year since the purification of insulin and the miraculous rescue from death of youngsters with type 1 diabetes. In this review, we highlight several previously unappreciated or unknown events surrounding the discovery. (i) We remind readers of the essential contributions of each of the four discoverers--Banting, Macleod, Collip, and Best. (ii) Banting and Best (each with his own inner circle) worked not only to accrue credit for himself but also to minimize credit to the other discoverers. (iii) Banting at the time of the insulin research was very likely suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) that originated during his heroic service as a surgeon in World War I on the Western Front in 1918, including an infected shrapnel wound that threatened amputation of his arm. His war record along with the newly discovered evidence of a suicide threat goes along with his paranoia, combativeness, alcohol excess, and depression, symptoms we associate with PTSD. (iv) Banting's eureka idea, ligation of the pancreatic duct to preserve the islets, while it energized the early research, was unnecessary and was bypassed early. (v) Post discovery, Macleod uncovered many features of insulin action that he summarized in his 1925 Nobel Lecture. Macleod closed by raising the question--what is the mechanism of insulin action in the body?--a challenge that attracted many talented investigators but remained unanswered until the latter third of the 20th century.

Acute Calcific Band Keratopathy as an Adverse Effect of Recombinant Human Nerve Growth Factor (Cenegermin): A Multicenter Case Series.

PURPOSE: Cenegermin, (OXERVATE) a recently Food and Drug Administration-approved topical formulation of recombinant human nerve growth factor, has been used for the treatment of neurotrophic keratopathy (NK). Corneal deposits have been previously reported as a potential adverse effect; however, the clinical characteristics, visual significance, and treatment options have not been fully described. The purpose of this article is to better characterize corneal deposits occurring during treatment with cenegermin for neurotrophic keratopathy. METHODS: This was a retrospective, multicenter consecutive case series. RESULTS: We identified 5 patients from 3 institutions who developed a white opacity in varying layers of the cornea, consistent with calcium deposition, during treatment with cenegermin. In all cases, the opacity occurred rapidly over the course of a few weeks after initiation of treatment. Histopathologic examination of the cornea from one corneal patient demonstrated extensive calcification of the stroma extending to 90% depth. Before treatment, all patients had stage 2 or 3 NK (Mackie classification). The deposits were visually significant in all patients and did not resolve after cessation of cenegermin. There were no differences in age, sex, etiology of the NK, corneal transplant status, or concurrent medications between the patients who developed a deposit and 15 other patients with stage 2 or 3 NK who did not. One patient was successfully treated with superficial keratectomy with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid chelation, one patient underwent penetrating keratoplasty, and one patient received a Boston keratoprosthesis. CONCLUSIONS: We report the rapid onset of a corneal opacity after initiation of treatment with cenegermin in patients with stage 2 or 3 NK, consistent with acute calcific band keratopathy. This visually significant adverse finding has not previously been described. We could not identify any risk factors for development. We recommend close monitoring of patients receiving cenegermin therapy because the opacity may be irreversible and may require keratoplasty for visual rehabilitation.

Autogenous Tooth Bone Grafts for Repair and Regeneration of Maxillofacial Defects: A Narrative Review.

Autogenous tooth graft is an innovative and ingenious technique that employs a stepwise approach and utilizes human teeth as an autogenous source of bone graft. The structure of teeth closely resembles bone, both physically and biochemically, and can be efficiently used for the process as it depicts properties of osteoinduction and osteoconduction. Autogenous tooth bone has characteristics similar to bone grafts in terms of healing potential, physical properties, and clinical outcome. Autogenous tooth graft has shown reasonable promise as a graft material for the regeneration of maxillary and mandibular defects. Autogenous tooth bone graft finds its principal application in sinus and ridge augmentations and for socket preservation before implant placement. Additionally, it can be used successfully for alveolar cleft patients and patients with limited periodontal defects. The overall complication rates reported for autogenous tooth grafts are comparable to other graft sources. However, although long-term results are still underway, it is still recommended as a grafting option for limited defects in the cranio-facial region.

Incidence and Mortality Rate of Perioperative Reintubation: Case Series of 196 Patients.

Among anesthesia-related life-threatening complications, respiratory failure requiring reintubation is common. However, studies evaluating patient characteristics for extubation failure are scarce in the literature. Such knowledge is important to increase awareness and for the development of strategies to improve the safety of anesthesia care. We retrospectively reviewed 196 cases that were reported to our quality assurance (QA) committee from 2004 to 2014 at 3 hospitals. The reintubation rate was 0.09% (n=196). More reintubations occurred in the operating room than the postanesthesia care unit (58% vs 30%). Ninety-three reintubated patients (47%) were 65 years or older. Most patients were in ASA class 3 or 4 (76%) and had a surgical procedure lasting longer than 3 hours. Eleven reintubated patients (5%) died during the hospital course. The exact causes of reintubation could not be determined because of limited data in our QA database. We conclude that although the individual risk of reintubation for each patient is low, the reintubated patients have a higher mortality rate. The study findings emphasize the need for extra vigilance before anesthesia providers attempt extubation of a patient who is elderly, underwent surgery over 3 hours, has chronic obstructive airway disease, or has ASA class 3 or 4 status.

Dental Healthcare Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The hustle and bustle of the planet Earth have come to a halt thanks to the novel coronavirus. The virus has affected approximately 219 million people globally; taken the lives of 4.55 million patients as of September 2021; and created an ambiance of fear, social distancing, and economic instability. The purpose of this review article is to trace the historical origin and evolution of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The virus is highly contagious with a unique feature of rapid mutations-the scientific research is paving the way for discoveries regarding novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) diagnosis, features, prevention, and vaccination. The connections between the coronavirus pandemic and dental practices are essential because COVID-19 is transmitted by aerosols, fomites, and respiratory droplets, which are also produced during dental procedures, putting both the patient and the dentist at risk. The main emphasis of this paper is to highlight the psychological, economic, and social impact of this pandemic on dental practices throughout the world and under what circumstances and guidelines can dental health care be provided. In the current situation of the pandemic, an appropriate screening tool must be established either by using rapid molecular testing or saliva point-of-care technology, which will be effective in identifying as well as isolating the potential contacts and carriers in hopes to contain and mitigate infection. The blessing in disguise is that this virus has united the leaders, scientists, health care providers, and people of all professions from all around the world to fight against a common enemy.