The current scenario of the COVID-19 pandemic has forced dentists to prepare themselves by updating their knowledge and receive training to face the present and after effects of COVID-19. The present survey was thus conducted to assess the knowledge, risk perception, attitude, and preparedness of the dentists in India about COVID-19. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was carried out among registered dentists in India. A self-administered, anonymous, questionnaire comprising of 25 closeended questions was circulated to gather the relevant information. A total of 765 dentists submitted a response, out of which 646 complete responses were included in the statistical analysis. Pearson's Chi-square test was used for inter-group statistical comparison. Results: The majority (80.8%) of the dentists had a fair knowledge about the characteristics of COVID-19. Nearly 60.7% and 49.7% of the dentists had taken infection control training and special training for COVID-19, respectively. Nearly 50% of the dentists had the perception that COVID-19 is very dangerous. Only 41.8% of the dentists were willing to provide emergency services to patients. Most of the dentists had an opinion that there is a need to enhance personal protective measures. During the survey, it was found that varied technological advances are offered to dentists to ensure good clinical practice. They also concurred that there was a need to standardize the tools and measures available to carry out dental practices. Conclusion: In the present study, Indian dentists have presented satisfactory knowledge with adequate preparedness as the majority of them had a fair level of knowledge with significantly higher knowledge among female respondents and those with post-graduation studies. Dentists should make judicious utilization of all the precautionary measures to safely practice dentistry. As we are going through an evolutionary phase where new advances are expected to evolve, dentists will definitely emerge successfully out from the crisis of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The incidence of oval canals was higher in this Indian population compared to other populations. In 92% and 96% of teeth the difference between the maximum and the minimum diameter of all foramina was less than or equal to 0.20 and 0.25 mm, respectively. Therefore, four to five instrument sizes larger than the first binding file would have been necessary to shape the minor apical foramen of more than 95% of the teeth included in this study to make them round.

The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 mutants, waning immunity, and breakthrough infections prompted the use of booster doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to fight against the pandemic. India started booster doses in January 2022 and it is critical to determine the intention of booster dose uptake and its correlates. Therefore, the current cross-sectional study aimed to investigate booster dose acceptability and associated predictors among the Indian population. A convenience sampling technique was utilized to recruit a sample of 687 Indian residents. A 55-item psychometric validated survey tool was used to assess booster dose acceptability, vaccine literacy and vaccine confidence. Univariate, bivariate, and multivariate statistical methods were used to analyze the data. Over 50% of participants reported their willingness to take the booster dose. Among the group not willing to take the booster dose (n = 303, 44.1%), a significantly larger proportion of respondents were unvaccinated with the primary series (12.2% vs. 5.2%, p < 0.001), had an annual income below 2.96 lacs/annum (52.8% vs. 33.1, p < 0.001), were residents of rural areas (38.0% vs. 23.2%, p < 0.001), were not living with vulnerable individuals (78.5% vs. 65.2%, p < 0.001) and did not have family/friends who had tested positive for COVID-19 (54.6% vs. 35.1%, p = 0.001). Demographic, vaccine variables and multi-theory model subscales to predict the initiation of booster dose among hesitant participants were statistically significant, R2 = 0.561, F (26, 244) = 11.978, p < 0.001; adjusted R2 = 0.514. Findings of this study highlight the need to develop evidence-based interventions to promote vaccine uptake, particularly among hard-to-reach communities living in developing countries.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) first emerged in Wuhan city in December 2019, and became a grave global concern due to its highly infectious nature. The Severe Acute Respiratory Coronavirus-2, with its predecessors (i.e., MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV) belong to the family of Coronaviridae. Reportedly, COVID-19 has infected 344,710,576 people around the globe and killed nearly 5,598,511 persons in the short span of two years. On November 24, 2021, B.1.1.529 strain, later named Omicron, was classified as a Variant of Concern (VOC). SARS-CoV-2 has continuously undergone a series of unprecedented mutations and evolved to exhibit varying characteristics. These mutations have largely occurred in the spike (S) protein (site for antibody binding), which attribute high infectivity and transmissibility characteristics to the Omicron strain. Although many studies have attempted to understand this new challenge in the COVID-19 strains race, there is still a lot to be demystified. Therefore, the purpose of this review was to summarize the structural or virologic characteristics, burden, and epidemiology of the Omicron variant and its potential to evade the immune response.

Dental treatment is provided for a wide variety of oral health problems like dental caries, periodontal diseases, periapical infections, replacement of missing teeth and orthodontic problems.

Background:To determine the prevalence and pattern of cavitated carious lesions in primary dentition in children below 5 years of age in Sirsa, Haryana.Aims:The aim of this study was to evaluate the status of dental caries in primary dentition and compute data for planning anticipatory programs in children aged less than 5 years.Settings and Design:The study was conducted among children attending the outpatient department of pedodontics, JCD Dental College, Sirsa, Haryana (India) from April to December 2014.Materials and Methods:This study consisted of 576 children of both sexes (311 males and 265 females) up to 5 years of age. Dentition status and treatment proforma (WHO, 1997) was used to assess the prevalence of cavitated carious lesions. Selection of children for the study was done by simple random sampling method.Statistical Analysis:Chi-square test and t-test were used to compute data for statistical analysis.Results:33.85% of children in the study population showed presence of cavitated carious lesions. Males showed slightly higher prevalence of cavitated carious lesions than females (P = 0.35). Incidence of caries was higher in mandibular arch in both the sexes (males P = 0.9, females P = 0.7) and in posterior teeth (both sex wise and arch wise). Higher caries prevalence was noticed in maxillary anterior teeth (P = 0.04) and mandibular posterior teeth (P = 0.7). Primary second molars showed highest caries prevalence (P = 0.39) in both the arches and sexes.Conclusion:The mean prevalence of cavitated carious lesions in primary dentition was found to be 33.85%. Males were more affected than females. Mandibular molars and maxillary anterior teeth were the predominantly affected teeth. Mandibular anterior teeth were least affected. The increase in incidence of cavitated carious lesions shows that there is necessity of implementing dental health awareness programs and modifications in types of food consumed are needed to eliminate the cause of decay.

Aim The present case report describes the importance of understanding of biomechanical and clinical considerations in application of Forsus appliance in correction of class II skeletal malocclusion. Background Angle's class II malocclusion is one of the most prevailing that may be either skeletal or dental presenting with different clinical manifestations. There are number of appliances to treat such a malocclusion in a growing child. Fixed functional appliances are indicated for class II corrections in patients who report late with minimal residual growth left. Case description A case of class II skeletal and dental malocclusion treated with preadjusted edgewise appliance supplemented with Forsus Fatigue Resistant Device (FRD) (3M Unitek Corp, California, USA) is reported. Conclusion Forsus device is an effective alternative in treating moderate skeletal class II malocclusion. The Forsus FRD (3M Unitek Corp, California, USA) can be used instead of class II elastics in mild cases and in place of Herbst appliance in severe cases. Alteration of force vector by modifying the archwire as shown in this case report while applying Forsus and incorporation of 10 degree labial root torque in lower archwire will minimize the effects on dentition. Engaging modules or tubing on to the pushrod and leaving 1 to 2 mm clearance between distal end of the upper tube and L-pin as shown in this case report will significantly improve the patient compliance. Clinical significance Much emphasis should be given to biomechanical considerations which were discussed in this article while treating patients with Forsus to prevent the unwanted effects. Clinical considerations and certain modifications advised in this case report should be utilized while treating class II skeletal malocclusions with Forsus appliance to eliminate the patient cooperation factor and make treatment time estimates much more accurate. How to cite this article Adusumilli SP, Sudhakar P, Mummidi B, Varma DPK, Arora S, Radhika A, Maheshwari A. Biomechanical and Clinical Considerations in correcting Skeletal Class II Malocclusion with ForsusTM. J Contemp Dent Pract 2012; 13(6):918-924.

Background: Carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma (CA-ex-PA) is extremely unusual in minor salivary glands of oral cavity. CA-ex-PA is a carcinomatous change as a primary or as a recurrence of pleomorphic adenoma.Objective: Due to resemblance of clinical symptoms of Ca ex PA and benign pleomorphic adenoma, it is mandatory for surgeons to keep high degree of clinical alertness, considering the peculiarity of this tumor.Case Report: 54-year-old male presented with swelling on left side in the pre-auricular region from the middle of zygomatic arch to mastoid process and from tragus of the ear up to angle of mandible. Fine needle aspiration cytology revealed a mixture of benign and malignant components. Total left parotidectomy with left radical neck dissection followed by reconstruction with cervicodeltopectoral flap was performed. Combination of chemotherapy and radiotherapy were given to patient. Histologic examination and pre-operative fine needle aspiration cytology confirmed the diagnosis of Carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma (CA-ex-PA). Two-year follow-up of patient showed no recurrence of the lesion.Conclusion: Due to the similarity in the clinical symptoms of CA-ex-PA and benign pleomorphic adenoma, it is vital that clinicians maintain a high degree of clinical vigilance, considering the oddity of this malignancy.Keywords: Carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma, Fine needle aspiration cytology, parotidectomy.