COVID-19 pandemic and emergency remote education practices: Effects on dentistry students.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has caused not only viral infection-related deaths, but also uncontrollable psychological problems and anxiety in different parts of society. The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in adaption of a comprehensive online education period that has not been previously experienced in modern education. Aim: This cross-sectional study aims to evaluate dental students' experiences with emergency remote education practices, related levels of anxiety, and sociodemographic factors affecting anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic. Subjects and Methods: This study was conducted during the period when social isolation measures were applied at the maximum level and face-to-face education was suspended in all dentistry faculties in Turkey due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Sociodemographic data and anxiety experienced by dental students were investigated using an online questionnaire. The anxiety levels were evaluated by using a 10-Item Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10), and attitudes of the students toward distance education were determined using a 5-point Likert-type scale. Results: The study included 2.290 students. A total of 76.46% of these students attended to emergency remote education practices provided by their faculty. While 66.7% of students were satisfied with the transition process of their faculty to distance education, 18.4% of them found emergency remote learning to be completely unsuccessful. Mean PSS-10 score was 24.68 ± 6.74 and 94.8% of the students experienced moderate-to-high anxiety during the process. The compulsory and emergency remote education was found to significantly increase anxiety in private university students compared to public university students (P = 0.03) and in those students with low family income than the moderate and high ones (P = 0.01). There was a significant relationship between PSS-10 levels and students' anxiety about their academic performance, career plans, transition process to distance education, and their desire to continue remote theoretical online educations. The increase in these aforementioned parameters significantly decreased PSS-10 scores (P = 0.000). Conclusions: The emergency online remote education practices during the COVID-19 pandemic caused anxiety in dentistry students. It is expected that only distance education practices would be insufficient, and blended education models consisting of distance and face-to-face practices should be implemented.

Using of panoramic and posteroanterior cephalometric radiographs to identify the optimal nasal passage for nasotracheal intubation.

Background and Aim: Selecting the optimum nasal passage for nasotracheal intubation is quite important in the maxillofacial surgeries for the success of intubation and the reduction of potential complications such as nasal mucosal laceration, epistaxis, avulsion of the inferior and middle turbinates, and septal laceration. Materials and Methods: The present study evaluates standard panoramic radiographs (PR) and posteroanterior cephalometric radiographs (PACR) to determine the optimal nasal passage for nasotracheal intubation and compares the results with those of routine anesthesiological occlusion and spatula tests (ST). The results of occlusion tests (OT), ST, and radiological assessments of 60 patients prior to nasotracheal intubation were compared with the nasal endoscopic assessment results, and complications were evaluated. Results: There was no significant association between the OT and nasal endoscopy results (P = 0.075). A significant association was found between the ST and nasal endoscopy results (P = 0.000), and between the radiological assessments and the nasal endoscopy results (P = 0.000). Compatibility with nasal endoscopy was 54% when the occlusion and ST were evaluated together, 75% when the OT and radiological assessments were evaluated together, and 86% when the ST and radiological assessments were evaluated together. The highest level of compatibility was 92% when all the tests were evaluated together. Conclusion: The simple tests alone were found to be inadequate for the selection of the optimal nasal passage. Evaluation of PR and PACR, which are commonly used in maxillofacial surgeries, together with simple anesthesiological examination tests would increase nasotracheal intubation success and decrease complications.

Nasotracheal intubation performance with the mcgrath videolaryngoscope versus macintosh laryngoscope in oral and maxillofacial surgery- An observational study.

Background and Aim: Nasotracheal intubation is the main route to secure the airway in oral and maxillofacial surgery patients. This study was aimed to compare the intubation times and glottis visualization of McGrath video laryngoscope with the Macintosh laryngoscope for routine nasotracheal intubation. Materials and Methods: Records of seventy-one ASA (American Society of Anesthesiologists) I-II patients were evaluated and allocated into two groups (McGrath video laryngoscope (VL) and Macintosh groups). Intubation times, modified intubation difficulty scale (MIDS) scores, and hemodynamic parameters (heart rate and mean arterial pressure) were compared after the anesthesia induction and the intubation. Results: Mean intubation time in the McGrath group (24.9 ± 5.9 seconds) was significantly lower than that of the Macintosh group (28 ± 6.2 seconds; P = 0.037). Magill forceps were needed less in the McGrath group compared to the Macintosh group (13.89% vs. 42.86%; P = 0.009). Total MIDS scores were similar (P = 0.778). There was no significant difference in the hemodynamic parameters between the groups. Conclusion: The McGrath VL significantly reduced the intubation time and the use of Magill forceps compared with Macintosh direct laryngoscope and can be utilised effectively for routine nasotracheal intubation.

Maxillary sinus septa and anatomical correlation with the dentition type of sinus region: a cone beam computed tomographic study.

Maxillary sinus septa increase the risk of membrane perforation during sinus floor elevation and grafting operations. This study was designed to evaluate the prevalence, morphology, localisation, aetiology, and orientation of maxillary sinus septa in dentate, completely edentulous, and partially edentulous sinus regions using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT), and possible patient-related factors were also assessed. Data from 300 patients (600 sinuses), 160 women and 140 men, with a mean (SD) age of 50.72 (13.99) years (range 20-83), who were undergoing treatment planning for implant-supported restorations in posterior maxillae, were analysed from reformatted CBCT scans. Sinus septa were detected in 132 (44%) patients. A total of 208 septa were found, and 187 (31.17%) single maxillary sinuses presented septa in 600 sinuses. Unilateral septa were found in 77 patients (58.3%) and bilateral septa in 55 patients (41.7%). Out of the 208 septa, 42 (20.19%) were in the anterior third, 124 (59.62%) were in the middle third, and 42 (20.19%) were in the posterior third. Further, 106 (50.96%) septa were in completely edentulous regions, 64 (30.77%) were in partially edentulous regions, and 38 (18.27%) were in dentate regions. The prevalence of septa was significantly higher in the middle third area of the completely edentulous sinus regions. The mean (SD) height of septa was 6.34 (3.05) mm, and the mean orientation was buccopalatal in 204 patients (98.08%). Maxillary sinus septa are common anatomical structures. To avoid possible complications during sinus augmentation, a detailed radiographic identification of anatomical structures in maxillary sinuses is needed.