Oral cancers are the leading cause of cancer-related death in Indian men. Currently steps to contain the transmission and treatment of COVID-19 pandemic have crippled the entire health care system. With hospitals running short of resources, the oncological practice became standstill, especially during the initial phase. This is a retrospective study among patients who presented to our tertiary care hospital in early 3 months of COVID-19 era(ECE) with respect to pre-COVID-19 era(PCE). The study includes patients discussed in multidisciplinary tumor board(MDT)(421 in ECE Vs 31 in PCE) and those who underwent surgery(192 in ECE Vs 26 in PCE). The presentation and outcomes of oral carcinoma were compared between the two eras. There was a significant drop in the number of patients who presented during ECE. Though mean age and gender remained comparable between groups, there was a statistical difference in relation to demographic profile of patient ( p value < 0.001). Among operated during ECE, 80% had a significantly advanced tumor stage ( p value < 0.034) and advanced composite stage ( p value < 0.049). Among patients discussed in MDT during ECE, 38.7% were deemed inoperable which is double the number when compared with PCE ( p value < 0.009). Results of our study showed a higher incidence of advanced stage disease during ECE, with many patient turning inoperable. Thus, the survival of newly diagnosed oral carcinoma patients will be worser. In the management of oral cancer both early stage and advanced stage should have the same priority. Immediate resumption of safe oncology services is mandatory to curtail the current issues.

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Objective:This study was carried out to prevent the risk of iatrogenic injuries to the inferior alveolar nerve (IAN) canal associated with various surgical interventions in the area of mandibular molars, by using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT).Materials and Methods:The present retrospective study was carried out by using CBCT of 100 patients between 18 and 40 years of age group. The linear measurements were made in relation to the 1st and 2nd mandibular molars on both the sides. Linear distances between buccal and lingual aspects to the mandibular, buccal, and lingual cortical bone thickness; IAN canal diameter; and the superior corticated border of the IAN canal from the periapex of the 1st and 2nd mandibular molars. The statistical evaluation was done using SPSS V.20 (SPSS: an IBM company), and P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results:Both genders of all age groups showed statistically significant result (P < 0.00). All the linear measurements were statistically significant in relation to both the 1st and 2nd mandibular molars (P < 0.005), and also the bilateral comparison of the linear measurements showed statistically significant difference in relation to the mandibular 2nd molar (P < 0.03) and 1st molar (P < 0.04) among both the sexes.Conclusion:Clinicians should be aware of the proximity of root apices and cortical plates to the mandibular canal when performing surgical and root canal procedures in the posterior mandible to avoid serious nerve injuries.

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