New biomaterials for modern dentistry.

Whilst the appropriate assessment criteria for dental biomaterials is debated, there has been an increasing interest in the use of dental biomaterials for oral rehabilitation. Consequently, a variety of new biomaterials have been introduced in dentistry. To address this issue, BMC Oral Health has launched a Collection on "New biomaterials for modern dentistry".

Odontología sostenible y sustentable / Sustainable dentistry

Introducción: la periodontitis es una enfermedad infecciosa multifactorial asociada a un biofilm de microorganismos patógenos. Objetivo: el objetivo del trabajo fue establecer la prevalencia de Porphyromonas gingivalis en pacientes con periodontitis y relacionarla con la severidad de la enfermedad. Material y métodos: participaron 45 pacientes, sistémicamente saludables, con edades entre 35 y 65 años. El grado de periodontitis se definió según los criterios de Papapanou y colaboradores. Como grupo control, se incluyeron 20 sujetos de ambos sexos sin periodontitis y sin enfermedades sistémicas. Se tomaron muestras de fluido gingival en dos sitios más profundos. Porphyromonas gingivalis se detectó por PCR (reacción en cadena de la polimerasa). Resultados: la frecuencia relativa de periodontitis fue de 13.3% grado I, 46.7% grado II y 40% grado III. El sexo masculino presentó periodontitis grado III 72.2% y grado II 52.3%. El grado I se registró con mayor frecuencia en el sexo femenino, 66.7%. La prevalencia de Porphyromonas gingivalis en la población con periodontitis fue de 44.4%. Se obtuvieron diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre los grados de severidad de periodontitis y la presencia de Porphyromonas gingivalis (p = 0.0002, α = 5%). Conclusión: la periodontitis predominó en el sexo masculino. La prevalencia de Porphyromonas gingivalis en la población con periodontitis crónica fue de 44.4% y su presencia está relacionada con la severidad (AU)

Introduction: periodontitis is a multifactorial infectious disease associated with a biofilm of pathogenic microorganisms. Objective: the objective of the work was to establish the prevalence of Porphyromonas gingivalis in patients with periodontitis and relate it to the severity of the disease. Material and methods: 45 systemically healthy patients, aged between 35 and 65 years old, participated. The degree of periodontitis was defined according to the criteria of Papapanou et al. As a control group, 20 patients of both sexes without periodontitis and without systemic diseases were included. Gingival fluid samples were taken from two deeper sites. Porphyromonas gingivalis was detected by PCR (polymerase chain reaction). Results: the relative frequency of periodontitis was 13.3% grade I, 46.7% grade II and 40% grade III. The male sex presented periodontitis grade III 72.2% and grade II 52.3%. Grade I was recorded more frequently in the female sex, 66.7%. The prevalence of Porphyromonas gingivalis in the population with periodontitis was 44.4%. Statistically significant differences were obtained between the degrees of severity of periodontitis and the presence of Porphyromonas gingivalis (p = 0.0002, α = 5%). Conclusion: periodontitis predominated in males. The prevalence of Porphyromonas gingivalis in the population with chronic periodontitis was 44.4% and its presence is related to severity (AU)

La odontología verde / Green dentistry

El propósito del presente trabajo está orientado a generar una reflexión entre el gremio odontológico profesional y los estudiantes de las licenciaturas en Odontología respecto a la contaminación global que estamos generando y a la crítica situación del planeta, así como sus consecuencias ambientales y climatológicas, sobre lo importante que es educar bajo la perspectiva de una Odontología Verde y Sostenible a través de la ambientalización curricular en las escuelas y facultades de Odontología para generar un tipo de cultura y conciencia proambiental. De igual forma para señalar lo sencillo que es ambientalizar agradable y relajantemente nuestro entorno educativo y laboral, así como realizar algunas prácticas odontológicas ecológicas y ambientales en la práctica privada que cuestan poco o nada y que, por el contrario, el gran efecto positivo que éstas tendrán en el medio ambiente y la reducción de los niveles de contaminación actuales. Si realmente logramos generar una nueva cultura y conciencia que se preocupe por el medio ambiente en el campo de la Odontología, los resultados para todos se verán reflejados en un mejor ambiente social, educativo de trabajo y de salud (AU)

The purpose of this work is aimed at generating a reflection between the professional dental guild and the students of the Bachelor's Degrees in Dentistry regarding the global pollution that we are generating and the critical situation of the planet and its environmental and climatological consequences, on how important it is educate under the perspective of a Green and Sustainable Dentistry through the greening of the curriculum in the Schools and Faculties of Dentistry to generate a type of culture and pro-environmental awareness. Likewise, point out how simple it is to pleasantly and relaxingly green our educational and work environment, as well as perform some ecological and environment, as well perform some ecological and environment, dental practices in private practice that cost little or nothing and that, on the contrary, the great positive effect that these will have on the environment and the reduction of current pollution levels. If we truly manage to generate a new culture and awareness that cares about the environment in the field of Dentistry, the results for all will be reflected in a better social, educational, work and health environment (AU)

Modelo para la evaluación de la eficacia diagnóstica de la tomografía computarizada de haz cónico en odontología / A model of diagnostic efficacy for the evaluation of CBCT in dentistry

Introducción: Debido al riesgo que conlleva la exposición a radiación ionizante, se han establecido los principios de protección radiológica, con el propósito de regular las actividades que involucran su uso. Uno de estos principios es la justificación de los exámenes, es decir, la indicación del examen cuando exista la posibilidad de que éste entregue información en beneficio del paciente. Esto implica que dicho examen se evalúe en cuanto a su rendimiento, de manera que exista evidencia que indique su capacidad de entregar la información necesaria para la indicación específica del paciente. Revisión: Para evaluar el rendimiento de los exámenes imagenológicos, con el fin de orientar su uso como herramienta diagnóstica en las distintas indicaciones odontológicas, se ha usado el modelo de Eficacia Diagnóstica descrito por Fryback y Thornbury en 1991.En odontología, el uso de la tomografía computarizada de haz cónico (TCHC) ha aumentado debido a sus ventajas como herramienta diagnóstica. Aún así, son pocas las investigaciones en altos niveles del modelo de Eficacia Diagnóstica -más relacionados con características aplicables al paciente--y muchas las investigaciones en bajos niveles -más relacionado con calidad técnica y de exactitud diagnóstica-. Conclusiones: La evidencia del rendimiento de la TCHC en bajos niveles puede generar una idea equivoca sobre sus indicaciones, dando la impresión de que cuenta con respaldo científico suficiente que justifica su uso. Es necesaria investigación enfocada en el beneficio de los pacientes con el uso de TCHC para las distintas indicaciones en odontología. (AU)

Introduction: Due to the risk of exposure to ionizing radiation, principles of radiation protection have been established, with the aimto regulate activities that involve the use of ionizing radiation. The principle of justification means that the indication of the exam must be associated to the possibility of providing information for the benefit of the patient. The indication of an exam that results in a benefit for the patient entails the evaluation of the exam in terms of its performance. This evaluation should demonstrate the exam has ability to deliver the necessary information for the specific need of the patient. Review: The Diagnostic Efficacy model, described by Fryback and Thornbury in 1991, is used to evaluate the performance of imaging tests, in order to guide its use as a diagnostic tool in different dental indications. In dentistry, the use of TCHC has increased due to the advantages as a diagnostic tool. Still, there are few investigations at high levels of the Diagnostic Efficacy model - related to characteristics that involve the patient - and many investigations at low levels - more related to technical quality and diagnostic accuracy. Conclusions: Evidence of the performance of CBCT at low levels generates a misunderstanding about its use, giving the impression that CBCT has sufficient scientific support to justify its use. Currently, the evaluation of the performance of the TCHC has focused on evaluating the lowest levels of this model, the image quality and the diagnostic precision, although evidence at this level remains limited. Research focusing on the benefit of patients with the use of CBCT for the different indications in dentistry is needed. (AU)

Reflexionando sobre la odontología en escenarios de hoy y de mañana / Reflecting on dentistry in current and future scenarios

Esta reflexión plantea una auto interpelación e instala a la odontología ­mi odontología­ en el escenario global de la salud. Cada pregunta formulada reproduce una certeza con- templada o vivida; cada hipótesis representa una duda espe- ranzada. Los actores de la odontología deberemos dar res- puestas a las preguntas que nos formula el siglo XXI porque "la salud global se construye mediante un préstamo que nos está haciendo el mañana" (AU)

In this reflection, I ask myself questions and situate den- tistry ­my dentistry­ in the global health scenario. Each ques- tion replicates a certainty that has been considered or expe- rienced, and each hypothesis expresses a hopeful doubt. As actors involved in dentistry, we will have to provide answers to the questions posed by the 21st century, because "global health is constructed based on time being loaned to us by the future" (AU)

A dental revolution: The association between occlusion and chewing behaviour.

Dentistry is confronted with the functional and aesthetic consequences that result from an increased prevalence of misaligned and discrepant dental occlusal relations in modern industrialised societies. Previous studies have indicated that a reduction in jaw size in response to softer and more heavily processed foods during and following the Industrial Revolution (1,700 CE to present) was an important factor in increased levels of poor dental occlusion. The functional demands placed on the masticatory system play a crucial role in jaw ontogenetic development; however, the way in which chewing behaviours changed in response to the consumption of softer foods during this period remains poorly understood. Here we show that eating more heavily processed food has radically transformed occlusal power stroke kinematics. Results of virtual 3D analysis of the dental macrowear patterns of molars in 104 individuals dating to the Industrial Revolution (1,700-1,900 CE), and 130 of their medieval and early post-medieval antecedents (1,100-1,700 CE) revealed changes in masticatory behaviour that occurred during the early stages of the transition towards eating more heavily processed foods. The industrial-era groups examined chewed with a reduced transverse component of jaw movement. These results show a diminished sequence of occlusal contacts indicating that a dental revolution has taken place in modern times, involving a dramatic shift in the way in which teeth occlude and wear during mastication. Molar macrowear suggests a close connection between progressive changes in chewing since the industrialization of food production and an increase in the prevalence of poor dental occlusion in modern societies.

The Teledentistry, Impact, Current Trends, and Application in Dentistry: A Global Study.

OBJECTIVE: The present study was aimed at assessing the impact of teledentistry, its application, and trends in uplifting dental practice and clinical care around the world. Material and Methods. The present observational study comprised of an electronic survey distributed among dental professionals around the globe. The validated survey form consisted of a total 26 questions with 5-point Likert scale response. The questionnaire used was divided into four domains: usefulness of teledentistry for patients, its usefulness in dental practice, its capacity to improve the existing practice, and the concerns attached to its use. The statistical analysis was performed using SPSS-25. ANOVA test was used to assess the effect of independent variables on dependent variables. A p value of ≤0.05 was taken as statistically significant. RESULTS: A total of 506 dental professionals participated in the study with the response rate of 89.39%. More than half of the participants (50-75%) endorsed that teledentistry is a useful tool for improving clinical practice as well as patient care. Two-thirds of the participants (69.96%) considered that teledentistry would reduce cost for the dental practices. On the other hand, about 50-70% of dental professionals expressed their concerns regarding the security of the data and consent of patients. The most preferred communication tool for teledentistry was reported to be videoconference followed by phone. The majority of participants recommended the use of teledentistry in the specialty of oral medicine, operative dentistry, and periodontics. There was a significant difference between the age, experience of dentists, and their qualifications with domains of teledentistry. CONCLUSIONS: The overall impact of dental professionals towards teledentistry was positive with adequate willingness to incorporate this modality in their clinical practice. However, the perceived concerns pertaining to teledentistry are significant impediments towards its integration within the oral health system. An in-depth study of its business model and cost-benefit needs of time, especially in the context of developing countries, in order to avail the optimum benefits of teledentistry.

Occlusal Indicators Used in Dental Practice: A Survey Study.

INTRODUCTION: The function of the masticatory apparatus is complete when the dentition is intact with contact between the individual teeth and proper occlusion with the antagonists. For years, occlusal contacts have been studied to determine their exact location and describing various materials and methods for their registration such as paper foil, silk, and Shimstock foil. For years, occlusal contacts have been studied to determine their exact location and describe various materials and methods for their registration such as paper foil, silk, shim stock foil, the T-Scan system, and more recently the OccluSense system. The primary aim of the study was at evaluating which of the occlusal indicators is the most commonly used in practice, and the secondary aim was whether dentists are willing to use digital methods to examine occlusion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The main primary information of the survey was collected by sending electronically anonymous questionnaires to 2014 dentists, randomly selected from all regions of the country. 228 questionnaires were filled in and returned. To achieve the goal of the study, the self-developed questionnaire was created and tested to survey the opinion about the use of occlusal indicators in dental practice. Each questionnaire contains questions about the sociodemographic and professional status of the people in the group and their opinion about the positives and negatives and the effectiveness of occlusal indicators. RESULTS: The obtained results confirm the statement that the most frequently used occlusal indicator in dental practice is the articulation paper. Articulation foil and silk are used less frequently than articulation paper. Of the listed quality indicators, Shimstock foil is rarely used in practice. Of the indicated quantitative indicators, the T-Scan system is more used than the OccluSense system. In the era of rapid technology development, the opinion and desire of dentists to increasingly want to introduce in their clinical practice quantitative methods are the digital diagnosis of occlusion. CONCLUSION: In any dental practice, if technically possible, digital methods would be used, giving more accurate and reliable data on the registered occlusal contacts.

The representation of HIV/AIDS and hepatitis B in the dentistry context.

INTRODUCTION: HIV/AIDS and hepatitis B are diseases with major epidemiological and social impacts, with important effects in the dentistry context. This study aimed to compare the knowledge, presence, and manifestation of discriminatory and stigmatizing acts of dental surgeons, dental assistants, and dental students concerning social representations of HIV/AIDS and hepatitis B. METHODOLOGY: This cross-sectional, quantitative study was carried out in Brazil with primary health care dental surgeons (n = 219) and dental assistants (n = 152) in 40 municipalities and dental students of a public university (n = 179). The z-test for proportions (p ≤ 0.05) was used for data analysis to compare the three groups. RESULTS: We found statistically significant differences regarding knowledge about HIV/AIDS and hepatitis B, with a higher percentage of correct answers by dental surgeons (97.7%). Regarding infection, the fear of contracting HIV/AIDS was more representative, whereas hepatitis B was more mentioned concerning the risk of infection. In general, only 30.7% and 42.2% of individuals would accept care from professionals with HIV/AIDS and hepatitis B, respectively; assistants and students had the higher proportion of refusal of care. Also, a higher proportion of assistants (47.4%) believed there are different conducts in the care of patients with HIV and hepatitis B. CONCLUSIONS: The knowledge of individuals about infectious diseases is still inconsistent, especially among dental assistants and students. Moreover, these groups showed a silent and hidden presence and manifestation of discriminatory and stigmatizing attitudes, with greater representativeness for HIV/AIDS.

Artificial Intelligence Techniques: Analysis, Application, and Outcome in Dentistry-A Systematic Review.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this systematic review was to investigate the quality and outcome of studies into artificial intelligence techniques, analysis, and effect in dentistry. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using the MeSH keywords: artificial intelligence (AI), dentistry, AI in dentistry, neural networks and dentistry, machine learning, AI dental imaging, and AI treatment recommendations and dentistry. Two investigators performed an electronic search in 5 databases: PubMed/MEDLINE (National Library of Medicine), Scopus (Elsevier), ScienceDirect databases (Elsevier), Web of Science (Clarivate Analytics), and the Cochrane Collaboration (Wiley). The English language articles reporting on AI in different dental specialties were screened for eligibility. Thirty-two full-text articles were selected and systematically analyzed according to a predefined inclusion criterion. These articles were analyzed as per a specific research question, and the relevant data based on article general characteristics, study and control groups, assessment methods, outcomes, and quality assessment were extracted. RESULTS: The initial search identified 175 articles related to AI in dentistry based on the title and abstracts. The full text of 38 articles was assessed for eligibility to exclude studies not fulfilling the inclusion criteria. Six articles not related to AI in dentistry were excluded. Thirty-two articles were included in the systematic review. It was revealed that AI provides accurate patient management, dental diagnosis, prediction, and decision making. Artificial intelligence appeared as a reliable modality to enhance future implications in the various fields of dentistry, i.e., diagnostic dentistry, patient management, head and neck cancer, restorative dentistry, prosthetic dental sciences, orthodontics, radiology, and periodontics. CONCLUSION: The included studies describe that AI is a reliable tool to make dental care smooth, better, time-saving, and economical for practitioners. AI benefits them in fulfilling patient demand and expectations. The dentists can use AI to ensure quality treatment, better oral health care outcome, and achieve precision. AI can help to predict failures in clinical scenarios and depict reliable solutions. However, AI is increasing the scope of state-of-the-art models in dentistry but is still under development. Further studies are required to assess the clinical performance of AI techniques in dentistry.

The Challenge of Dental Education After COVID-19 Pandemic - Present and Future Innovation Study Design.

The present work suggests research and innovation on the topic of dental education after the COVID-19 pandemic, is highly justified and could lead to a step change in dental practice. The challenge for the future in dentistry education should be revised with the COVID-19 and the possibility for future pandemics, since in most countries dental students stopped attending the dental faculties as there was a general lockdown of the population. The dental teaching has an important curriculum in the clinic where patients attend general dentistry practice. However, with SARS-CoV-2 virus, people may be reluctant having a dental treatment were airborne transmission can occur in some dental procedures. In preclinical dental education, the acquisition of clinical, technical skills, and the transfer of these skills to the clinic are extremely important. Therefore, dental education has to adapt the curriculum to embrace new technology devices, instrumentations systems, haptic systems, simulation based training, 3D printer machines, to permit validation and calibration of the technical skills of dental students.

The Impact of SARS-CoV-2 Outbreak on the Polish Dental Community's Standards of Care-A Six-Month Retrospective Survey-Based Study.

Currently, SARS-CoV-2 is the primary pathogen worldwide, disrupting most of our everyday activities. The study aim was to evaluate its impact on the Polish dental community, standards of care, health, and welfare. METHODS: A Google Forms survey was conducted among 303 dental practitioners. RESULTS: Of respondents, 54.93% curbed the number of patients in the last six months, 34.21% declared no changes, and 10.86% reported an increase; whereas 70.7% of the respondents reported a treatment price increase within the same period (27.96% and 1.32% reported no changes and a decrease, respectively). Of the respondents, 15.5% did not close their businesses during the first wave of the pandemic. Most declared 1 or 2 month break, 30.7% and 34.7%, respectively. Some reported 3, 4, or 5 month breaks (15.84%, 1.32%, and 0.99%, respectively), and only two respondents (0.66%) did not admit patients at all. Headache episodes were more frequent among female dentists before the pandemic; after the pandemic, headache frequency increased among both sexes. Temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) were more frequent among women (p = 0.017). CONCLUSIONS: Most Polish dentists followed SARS-CoV-2 recommendations and restricted their practices to admitting only patients with pain or incomplete treatment. Decreased sleep parameters, head, back, and neck pain, were observed. This situation may affect dental health conditions in Polish society over time.

Angiogenesis in Regenerative Dentistry: Are We Far Enough for Therapy?

Angiogenesis is a broad spread term of high interest in regenerative medicine and tissue engineering including the dental field. In the last two decades, researchers worldwide struggled to find the best ways to accelerate healing, stimulate soft, and hard tissue remodeling. Stem cells, growth factors, pathways, signals, receptors, genetics are just a few words that describe this area in medicine. Dental implants, bone and soft tissue regeneration using autologous grafts, or xenografts, allografts, their integration and acceptance rely on their material properties. However, the host response, through its vascularization, plays a significant role. The present paper aims to analyze and organize the latest information about the available dental stem cells, the types of growth factors with pro-angiogenic effect and the possible therapeutic effect of enhanced angiogenesis in regenerative dentistry.

O ensino da saúde pública na graduação em Odontologia no Brasil: uma revisão de literatura / Public health teaching in undergraduation courses in Dentistry in Brazil: a literature review

O Cirurgião-Dentista, no passado, era capacitado a trabalhar apenas com técnicas tradicionais e individualistas, em consultórios particulares. Na atualidade, as Instituições de Ensino Superior juntamente com as Diretrizes Curriculares Nacionais (DCNs) permitem que esses profissionais tenham a integração do ensino-serviço em Saúde Pública durante a sua formação acadêmica. O aprendizado da Saúde Pública a partir dos estágios supervisionados no Sistema Único de Saúde visa a qualidade da formação profissional. O objetivo deste estudo é relatar a importância do aprendizado de Saúde Pública na graduação em Odontologia. Trata-se de uma revisão bibliográfica baseada na literatura especializada, realizada através de consultas a artigos científicos selecionados, utilizando os bancos de dados online daPubMed, Lilacs e Bireme. Estudos evidenciam que as DCNs em Odontologia foram responsáveis pela elaboração de orientações sobre as políticas educacionais brasileiras, as quais se integraram com o sistema de Saúde Pública. As modificações ocorridas ao longo do processo histórico da formação dos Cirurgiões-Dentistas são benéficas, entretanto, ainda é considerada uma dificuldade para Instituições de Ensino Superior. O ensino-aprendizado da Saúde Pública para os alunos de graduação em Odontologia permite a formação do profissional com visão abrangente, possibilitando a construção do senso crítico, habilidades humanas e éticas sobre suas atividades profissionais na rede de serviço de saúde.

The Dental Surgeon, in the past, was able to work only with traditional and individualistic techniques in private offices. Currently, Higher Education Institutions and the National Curriculum Guidelines allow these professionals to integrate teaching-service in Public Health into their academic training. The learning of Public Health in the supervised intern-ships in the Unified Health System aims at elevating the quality of professional training. The objective is to report the importance of Public Health learning in undergraduate den-tistry courses. This is a bibliographic review based on specialized literature and carried out through consultations of selected scientific articles using the online databases PubMed, Li-lacs, and Bireme. Studies show that the National Curricular Guidelines in Dentistry were responsible for elaborating guidelines on Brazilian educational policies integrated with the Public Health System. Changes that occurred during the historical process of the Dental Surgeons formation are beneficial; however, it is still considered a difficulty for Higher Education Institutions. Teaching-learning of Public Health for undergraduate students in Dentistry allows the training of professionals with an in-depth view, enabling the construc-tion of a critical sense and human and ethical skills about their professional activities in the health service network.

Elaboração do manual de introdução à odontologia digital com ênfase na odontologia restauradora / Elaboration of the introductory manual to digital dentistry with emphasis on restorative dentistry

O objetivo deste trabalho foi desenvolver um material instrucional para a Academia Odontológica Digital (AOD) da Odontoclínica Central do Exército (OCEx), na forma de um e-book, direcionado aos alunos dos Estágios de Capacitação Profissional da Diretoria de Saúde do Exército (PROCAP), aos Estágios acadêmicos supervisionados realizados na OCEx e aos Oficiais Dentistas que fazem parte do efetivo da OCEx. A metodologia utilizada para a elaboração deste manual foi o levantamento bibliográfico puramente descritivo que abordasse a tecnologia CAD/CAM e o seu uso na Odontologia, fazendo uma contextualização histórica do surgimento da tecnologia CAD/CAM e descrevendo os conceitos relativos ao assunto, dando ênfase na Odontologia Restauradora. Em complemento ao material instrucional foi editado um vídeo demonstrativo de uma sequência completa de escaneamento e fresagem de uma coroa total em porcelana de um dente preparado em manequim articulado, atingindo desta maneira os objetivos propostos por esta dissertação. (AU)

The objective of this work was to develop an instructional material for the Digital Dental Academy (OAD) of the Central Odontoclinic of the Army ( OCEx) , in the form of an e-book directed to the students of the Professional Training Internshipis of the Army Health Directorate ( PROCAP) to the supervised academic Internshipis carried out at OCEx and to the Dental Officers who are part of the OCEx staff. A methodology used for the preparation of this purely descriptive bibliographic that addressed the CAD/CAM technology and its use in Dentistry, making a historical contextualization of the emergence of CAD/CAM technology describing the concepts related to the subject, emphasizing Restorative Dentistry. In addition to the instructional material, a video demonstrating a complete sequence of scanning and milling of a complete crown of a tooth prepared on an articulated mannequin was edited, thus achieving the objectives proposed by this dissertation. (AU)

COVID-19 and its impact in the dental setting: A scoping review.

INTRODUCTION: The scoping review examined the evidence related to infection control and transmission measures of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in a dental setting during this pandemic. Dental practitioners are normally guided in practice by set ethical principles, thus the researchers wanted to determine how these rules are managed during this pandemic. METHODS: A protocol specific for the objectives of this study was developed according to the criteria for a scoping review. Relevant databases (Pubmed, Scopus, Elsevier, Science Direct, Wiley), including online access to health/ dental organizations (World Health Organization/ American Dental Association), were searched to identify evidence which was restricted to the English language for the period 2015-2020. Predetermined eligibility criteria were applied, evidence was assessed and data extracted for each included article. Relevant outcomes assessed were: infection control measures, transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, such as modes and sources of transmission and the ethical principles related to the dental setting with a focus on the COVID-19 pandemic. RESULTS: Searches yielded a total of 402 articles: 387 from electronic databases and 15 from other sources. Of these, 231 were unrelated to the objectives of the current scoping review. The full text of 69 studies was assessed for eligibility, of which 26 were finalized for inclusion following the objectives and inclusion criteria set for the scoping review. Most of the included articles were reviews, recommendations and guidelines for dentists. A narrative explanation of the pre-specified outcomes is reported for the 3 areas covered for this review. There is no clinical evidence available that can support the recommendations by individuals, dental organizations or health authorities related to the objectives of this review, but these may be considered as the much needed guidelines during the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic. A different ethical framework is required during a pandemic and these must be informed by evidence.

Dental Challenges and the Needs of the Population during the Covid-19 Pandemic Period. Real-Time Surveillance Using Google Trends.

BACKGROUND: The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic may lead to changes in the dental needs of the population and new challenges concerning oral health care. METHODS: The Google Trends tool was used to collect data on the Internet search interest. The investigated material was collected from 1 January 2020 to 23 August 2020. Search terms "toothache", "dentist" and "stay at home" were retrieved for the whole world as well as for the US, the UK, Poland, Italy and Sweden. RESULTS: During the lockdown, correlation analysis indicates the lowest public interest in the word "dentist" one week preceding the peak for "toothache", followed by an increase in the word search for "dentist". On 12 April, worldwide, the maximum of Google Trends Relative Search Volume (RSV) for "toothache" was observed. CONCLUSION: Decrease in "dentist" queries during lockdown followed by an increase in "toothache" search predicts greater dental needs in the post-pandemic period. The surveillance shows significant changes in queries for dental-related terms during the course of the COVID-19 pandemic. In order to prepare for future pandemic outbreaks teledentistry programs should be taken into consideration.