The impact of COVID-19 related restrictions on orthodontic patients in Trinidad and Tobago

The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) is a highly contagious disease that emerged as a global pandemic in early 2020. The mode of transmission of COVID-19 and consequently its high transmission power has led to the closure of most dental clinics and orthodontic practices. The ramifications of the COVID-19 pandemic have greatly influenced the approach to dentistry and the availability of prompt dental care.

The impact of COVID-19 related restrictions on orthodontic patients in Trinidad and Tobago

• The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) is a highly contagious disease that emerged as a global pandemic in early 2020. • The mode of transmission of COVID-19 and consequently its high transmission power has led to the closure of most dental clinics and orthodontic practices. • The ramifications of the COVID-19 pandemic have greatly influenced the approach to dentistry and the availability of prompt dental care.

An Audit; Evaluation of patient positioning and preparation errors on panoramic radiographs at The University of The West Indies Dental School, Trinidad

Objective: To evaluate the frequency of common operator errors seen on panoramic radiographs in the UWI Dental School in Trinidad and Tobago. Design and Methods: Previously published and established error categories were used to assess 400 panoramic radiographs. Each positioning error and its resultant identifying features on the panoramic radiographs were assessed. Microsoft Office Excel 2007 was used as the primary tool to record the presence or absence of each error on the radiograph. Results: 400 panoramic radiographs were analyzed at the University of the West Indies, School of Dentistry. Out of the 400 panoramic radiographs, 40.5% showed no preparation or positioning errors according to the 8 criteria. The most common error observed was where the patient's chin was tipped too low (21%), followed by rotation of the head (12.50%). The least frequent error observed was where the patient's head was positioned too far forward (0.50%). Conclusions: The high frequency of errors revealed in this research project highlight the need for additional training in panoramic radiography technique to increase the diagnostic yield of this imaging modality at the institution. However compared to the last audit conducted in Trinidad and Tobago, there has been a reduction in the number of radiographs showing multiple errors which can be attributed to increased awareness and training of operators since its publication.

The use of Instagram as an educational tool in an undergraduate Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology course in Trinidad and Tobago

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to identify the use of Instagram both prior to and during an undergraduate oral radiology course at The University of the West Indies and to ascertain the perceived impact of Instagram as an educational tool on the course's teaching and learning. Method: A private Instagram account was created in 2017 for use in the fourth-year oral radiology course. Subjects included 30 dental students registered for the year long course. One dental radiograph was posted per week with associated questions. A piloted and previously tested questionnaire modified to our study was administered and statistically analyzed. Results: 24 (80%) students completed the research questionnaire. 8 (33%) students indicated that they did not have an Instagram account prior to the study. 14 (61%) students agreed and 9 (39%) students strongly agreed that the radiographic posts and discussions generated throughout the course of the study were helpful. Conclusion: The findings revealed in this study were that the use of Instagram in the oral radiology course was helpful to the students and most reported that they would enjoy the use of this platform in other courses.

Clinical and Radiological Evaluation of Cleidocranial Dysplasia in Two Trinidadian Siblings.

Cleidocranial dysplasia is a rare developmental disorder of the skeleton and teeth that may be inherited as an autosomal dominant trait or occur spontaneously. This is a report of two Trinidadian, East Indian brothers aged 13 and 15 years referred from a private dental practice with the chief complaint of retained deciduous teeth. Subsequent clinical and radiographic investigations led to the diagnosis of cleidocranial dysplasia. The clinical and radiographic findings are discussed.

Evaluation of common operator errors in panoramic radiography in Trinidad and Tobago: a comparison of formally vs informally trained operators.

AIM: To evaluate and compare the frequency of common operator errors seen on panoramic radiographs in dental private practices and in the dental hospital (taken by informally and formally trained operators, respectively) in Trinidad and Tobago. METHOD: One thousand panoramic radiographs of patients over the age of 10 years were included in this study. These comprised 500 from the dental hospital and 500 from dental private practices. The radiographs were reviewed using standardized criteria to identify the most common operator errors. RESULTS: There were only 21 (4.2%) error free radiographs in the dental private practice sample and 29 (5.80%) in the dental hospital sample. Frequencies of specific errors were significantly higher in the dental private practice sample in each category except for "Chin tipped too low" (Chi-square p < 0.05) CONCLUSION: This study supports the need for the introduction of statutory guidelines with respect to the use of ionizing radiation in dentistry in Trinidad and Tobago and in particular, the implementation of formally assessed dedicated dental radiography training for all operators of dental X-ray equipment.

Dental and maxillofacial investigation of a 9-year old thalassemic patient

We report a case of a 9 year-old Trinidadian girl of East Indian descent with thalassemia major presenting to the University of the West Indies Child Dental Health Clinic with two features of malocclusion as the chief complaints. Subsequent extra-oral radiographic findings included classical characteristics of Thalassemia major: enlargement of marrow spaces, expansion of the maxilla and 'hair-on-end" effect of the skull.

A preliminary investigation of periodontal disease and diabetes in Trinidad.

OBJECTIVES: To describe periodontal disease status in diabetic patients in Trinidad. METHOD: A cross-sectional study was conducted. Patients attending a tertiary referral centre for diabetes at an out-patient clinic were invited to undergo oral examinations. The basic periodontal examination (BPE) was used to assess periodontal disease status. RESULTS: Seventy-two patients participated in the study. Mean age was 55.7 years, 54.2% were female, with 66.7% and 22.2% being of Indo-Trinidadian and Afro-Trinidadian ethnicity respectively. There were 61.1% who had not attended for dental treatment within the last year and 56.9% only attended when in pain; 15.3% had a history of cigarette smoking and 31.9% currently wore a denture. Plaque was detectable with the use of a probe in 40.3% of the 67% that underwent a BPE assessment; 38.8% were found to have advanced periodontal disease. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of periodontal disease in this sample of diabetic patients suggests that regular dental examinations, oral health education, and collaborative patient care between medical and dental practitioners should form part of the routine management of diabetic patients in Trinidad.

A Preliminary investigation of periodontal disease and diabetes in Trinidad / Una investigación de la enfermedad periodontal y la diabetes en Trinidad

OBJECTIVES: To describe periodontal disease status in diabetic patients in Trinidad. METHOD: A cross-sectional study was conducted. Patients attending a tertiary referral centre for diabetes at an out-patient clinic were invited to undergo oral examinations. The basic periodontal examination (BPE) was used to assess periodontal disease status. RESULTS: Seventy-two patients participated in the study. Mean age was 55.7 years, 54.2% were female, with 66.7% and 22.2% being of Indo-Trinidadian and Afro-Trinidadian ethnicity respectively. There were 61.1% who had not attended for dental treatment within the last year and 56.9% only attended when in pain; 15.3% had a history of cigarette smoking and 31.9% currently wore a denture. Plaque was detectable with the use of a probe in 40.3% of the 67% that underwent a BPE assessment; 38.8% were found to have advanced periodontal disease. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of periodontal disease in this sample of diabetic patients suggests that regular dental examinations, oral health education, and collaborative patient care between medical and dental practitioners should form part ofthe routine management ofdiabetic patients in Trinidad.

OBJETIVOS: Describir el estado de la enfermedad periodontal en los pacientes diabéticos en Trinidad. MÉTODO: Se llevó a cabo un estudio transversal. Un número de pacientes que asistían a un centro terciario de remisión terciario para la diabetes en una clínica ambulatoria, fue invitado a recibir exámenes orales. Se usó el examen periodontal básico (EPB) para evaluar el estado de la enfermedad periodontal. RESULTADOS: Setenta y dos pacientes participaron en el estudio. La edad promedio fue 55.7 años, 54.2% fueron hembras; 66.7% y 22.2% fueron de etnicidad indotrinitense y afrotrinitense respectivamente. Hubo un 61.1% que no habían asistido para recibir tratamiento dental en el último año, y 56.9% que sólo asistieron cuando tuvieron dolor; el 15.3% tenía una historia de hábito de fumar cigarrillos, y el 31.9% usaba una prótesis dental. La placa era detectable usando una sonda dental en el 40.3% del 67% que recibió la evaluación del EPB, en tanto que se halló que el 38.8% tenía la enfermedad periodontal en estado avanzado. CONCLUSIÓN: La prevalencia de la enfermedad periodontal en esta muestra de pacientes diabéticos indica que los exámenes dentales regulares, la educación para la salud oral, y el cuidado colaborativo entre pacientes y trabajadores de la salud dental, deben formar parte del manejo de los pacientes diabéticos en Trinidad.