Effect of fluoride varnish and chlorhexidine-thymol varnish on mutans streptococci levels in human dental plaque: a double-blinded randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Recent systematic reviews on clinical trials comparing the efficacy of chlorhexidine and fluoride varnish found that the evidence was inconclusive and further well-conducted randomized controlled clinical trials were advocated. AIM: To compare the effect of fluoride varnish (F) and Chlorhexidine-thymol varnish (CHX/T) with intensive application regimen on mutans streptococci (MS) levels in human dental plaque. DESIGN: Seventy-five subjects between 6 and 10 years of age were allocated into three groups: Group 1-F varnish (n = 29); Group 2-CHX/T varnish(n = 29); Group 3-placebo varnish (n = 17) by stratified block randomization. After baseline plaque samples were obtained, varnish application was applied and repeated at an interval of 3 days in each group. Plaque samples were repeated at 48 h, 1 month, and 3 months. The samples were spread over mitis-salivarius-bacitracin (MSB) culture media, and the colony-forming units per ml (CFU) were measured. RESULTS: In both Groups 1 and 2, Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed-rank test revealed significant differences in log CFU values of MS between baseline and 48 h, baseline and 1 month but no significant difference between baseline and 3 months. An intergroup comparison at different time intervals showed that the difference between three groups was statistically insignificant. CONCLUSION: F varnish and CHX/T varnish, with an intensive regimen application have equivocal effect on MS levels in dental plaque.

Dentists' perceptions on present and future dental practice during the COVID-19 pandemic: An embedded study.

BACKGROUND: The emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic has placed a significant burden on everyone. Although dental professionals are at an increased risk of COVID-19 infection, currently, very little is known about how oral health professionals and their professions could be affected by the pandemic. This study aims to investigate dentists' perceptions on present and future dental practice in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.  Methods: We conducted an embedded mixed-methods study at Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Mangalore, with Indian dentists registered with the Dental Council of India.   Results: Of the 976 participating dentists, 61% were females, 32% were 40 years of age or younger. Nearly half of the respondents (54%) acknowledged that the lockdown measures caused them a severe financial burden, and 56% were seriously concerned about being a source of infection to their family, friends, and community. Although 79% felt very comfortable or somewhat comfortable going back to work, they were all worried that Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) use would increase their financial burden and impact the number of patients seeking care. Even though a vast majority received the necessary information regarding returning to practice from their concerned dental regulatory bodies, some were unsure about the reuse of the PPEs because of the conflicting information they received.  Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic affected participants' professional lives negatively. Their major concerns were being a source of infection to their families and community. Providing information to dental professionals in a timely manner may prepare dentists to provide safe care to their patients while protecting themselves, their staff, and their families.