Background: Dental practices produce large amounts of biomedical waste (BMW); improper disposal of which can cause harm to us and the environment. Amidst the corona virus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the scenario had further worsened with piles of personal protective equipment (PPE) accumulating in the hospitals. It is important to carry out proper disposal of BMW in order to break the chain of infection. Hence, this study was carried out to assess knowledge, attitude, and practice of dental healthcare professionals about important aspects of BMWM and its amended guidelines during COVID-19. Method: A cross-sectional questionnaire study was carried out among a convenient sample of dental professionals in a tertiary care dental center which was also a sampling center for COVID-19. A total of 107 participants returned back the questionnaire which was sent through mail. The questionnaire was validated. The subjects were followed up telephonically. Results: The knowledge, attitude, and practice scores for all subjects were 2.01 ± 3.306, 3.62 ± 1.40, and 3.81 ± 1.22, respectively, and were found to be significant on ANOVA test. The difference in knowledge and attitude score and knowledge and practice score among subjects was found to be significant on Turkey HSD post hoc test. Among sociodemographic characters, the difference in knowledge score was significant between males and females and between graduate and postgraduate. Conclusion: Although the knowledge score is less for all subjects, the attitude and practice scores suggest a positive response of study subjects toward BMWM. It is, therefore, necessary to carry out periodic training of the healthcare professionals to reinforce the basic knowledge.

Aim: This in vivo study was aimed to investigate and compare the cutting efficiency, removal of carious dentin (efficacy), and patient comfort while removing caries between newer caries excavation bur (ceramic bur and smart bur) with conventional bur (diamond point). Material and methods: A total number of 75 carious primary molars were selected in pediatric patients and three different types of burs were used for caries excavation which were evaluated and compared for total time taken (efficiency), remaining infected dentin (efficacy), and patient acceptance clinically. Result: Significant difference (p = 0.000) was obtained in terms of efficiency with least time consumed by ceramic bur and highest by smart bur. For efficacy, a significant difference was obtained (p = 0.002), ceramic bur being the most effective in carious dentin removal. For patient acceptance, a significant difference was obtained (p = 0.000), diamond point and ceramic bur were equally acceptable to the patient and the least accepted was smart bur. Conclusion: Ceramic bur proved to be suitable for minimally invasive caries excavation in primary molars as well as comfortable to the pediatric patients because of high cutting efficiency and lesser time consumption.

Objective: To assess the knowledge of Chandigarh physical education teachers regarding emergency management of avulsed teeth at school. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted on 100 physical education teachers of Chandigarh using a questionnaire surveying demographic data and knowledge to manage tooth avulsion. A stratified random sampling technique was used to select the required sample. Data obtained was statistically analyzed using Chi-square test, descriptive statistics, and t-test. Results: Out of 100 school physical education teachers surveyed, 61% of the physical education trainers (PET) were having first aid training and 39% were not having any training. 44% of PET said tap water is the best storage medium followed by 19% fresh milk and 11% child's saliva. There was a statistically significant difference in knowledge to manage avulsed teeth between trained and untrained dentists regarding the extra-alveolar duration method (p = 0.0001), an extra-alveolar storage medium (p = 0.008). Conclusion: This study suggested that the knowledge about the concept of management of avulsed teeth was lacking in Chandigarh physical education teachers. Educational programs should be introduced to them to modify the approach of teachers to manage tooth avulsion at school.

Aims and objectives: This study aims to assess the knowledge and awareness of undergraduate final year dental students regarding the applications of lasers in pediatric dentistry and the need for introducing theoretical and practical classes in their curriculum. Methodology: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 106 fourth year dental students of an institute in Faridabad. A self-administered questionnaire consisting of 19 questions related to general knowledge and applications of lasers in pediatric dentistry and about its safety aspects was given to the students, and responses were analyzed to obtain the results. Results: About 99% of participants knew what laser is and 93.4% of the respondents knew about its applications in pediatric dentistry; however, in-depth knowledge of students regarding soft and hard tissue procedures and its use in cavity and crown preparation was below satisfactory. Awareness about safety and hazards was also inadequate. Conclusion: Considering many applications and possible advantages of increasing cooperation in pediatric patients, lasers should be incorporated both in theory and practical in the undergraduate curriculum of pediatric dentistry.

Background: Pulpotomy is a therapeutic conservative procedure involving the amputation of the infected coronal pulp and dressing the remaining noninfected pulp tissue with a suitable material. An antimicrobial pulp dressing material is key to avoid failure of the treatment due to any residual microflora. Allium sativum, commonly known as “Garlic” is one of the most widely researched natural entities due to its antimicrobial, antioxidant, and antifungal properties. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the antimicrobial efficacy of garlic extract (A. sativum) in the concentrations of 100%, 50%, and 25% against Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus acidophilus using the agar well diffusion method. Methodology: The microorganisms S. mutans and L. acidophilus were isolated from the patient's saliva and were identified using the biochemical test. Five wells were prepared using a sterile template in agar plates. The garlic extract in the concentrations of 100%, 50%, and 25%, formocresol (positive control), and ethanol (negative control) was added to the prepared wells. The agar plates were incubated at 37°C for 24 hours and 48 hours in a candle extinction jar for S. mutans and an anaerobic jar for L. acidophilus, respectively. Results: All the tested concentrations of the garlic extract demonstrated antimicrobial activity against S. mutans and L. acidophilus. Formocresol in 1:5 concentration (positive control) showed excellent antimicrobial activity and no antimicrobial activity was observed with ethanol (negative control) at 24 hours and 48 hours. Antimicrobial activity is reduced by reducing the concentration of garlic extract. It was found that L. acidophilus was more sensitive to different concentrations of garlic extract than S. mutans. Conclusion: All the tested concentrations of garlic extracts exhibited varying antimicrobial activities against S. mutans and L. acidophilus. Considering the antimicrobial activity, A. sativum can be considered as a suitable alternative to formocresol as a pulpotomy medicament.

Anxiety is often experienced by children. Various methods of reducing anxiety have been used in dentistry. Amongst this distraction is commonly used. Aim: The aim of the study was to compare visual and taste distraction techniques during intraoral periapical radiography in children. Materials and methods: This study was an experimental study. The sample size was 60 and they were randomly allocated into group A- No Distraction (n = 20), group B- Taste Distraction with the help of the Lollipop method (n = 20), and group C- Visual Distraction Method with the help of Projector method (n = 20). The child's anxiety was checked with the help of the RMS Pictorial Scale. The anxiety was assessed before and after taking radiographs in respective groups. Result: Student t-test and one-way ANOVA was used to find the significance of study parameters. The highest anxiety reduction (mean difference) was seen in the visual distraction technique followed by taste distraction and no distraction technique. Conclusion: Environmental distractions such as visual and taste distraction techniques provide a positive environment and thereby help to reduce the anxiety in the child.

Background: Dental caries is still a foremost oral health issue affecting the population in developing countries. Many anticariogenic synthetic therapeutic agents have been used as cavity disinfectants, but with the rise in bacterial resistance, there is substantial concentration and an emergent trend in herbs and homeopathy. Aim: This study compared the antibacterial efficacy of natural herbal agent licorice, commercially available Ayurvedic agent Munident tablets 500 mg, and normal saline as a cavity disinfectant. Materials and methods: In this present study, two test groups were included, group I (licorice), group II (Munident crushable tablets), and group III (Normal Saline) was included as a control group. The children were randomly divided into 15 for each group with a cariogenic cavity not having any deep dental caries, pulp pathology, or any other intraoral pathology without systemic conditions. Two samples were collected by excavating cariogenic dentine predisinfection. After disinfection, the cavity with test agents, after collecting the samples sent to the microbiological laboratory of college for a total viable count of bacteria. The collected data were statistically analyzed with the Kruskal Wallis Test, Mann-Whitney U test, and suing Wilcoxon paired t-test. Result: This study showed a statistically significant reduction in total viable count compared to pre and postdisinfection with test agents. Munident Crushable tablets were most effective amongst all the groups, whereas licorice has also displayed statistically significant results. Conclusion: Ayurveda and herbal products can be effectively used as cavity disinfectants, helping eradicate the bacteria and diminishing secondary caries with longevity and success of the restoration.

Ichthyosis Vulgaris is a rare cornification disorder affecting the skin characterized by the accumulation of hyperkeratotic fish-like scales on the skin surface. It is a minor form of ichthyoses disorder. There is little evidence related to oral and dental manifestations in these patients. As their general manifestations can lead to oral and dental manifestations also, it is important to take various precautions by the dentists while managing these children. Also, preventive therapies can be initiated in them in the early stages to limit the acquired dental manifestations. This case reports various dental considerations and management carried out in a 7-year-old female patient who was a known case of Ichthyosis Vulgaris.

Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder that occurs in genetically predisposed people caused by gluten which attacks the lining of the small intestines and damages the villi, leading to malabsorption. Sometimes recurrent aphthous ulcers and benign migratory glossitis could be the only oral manifestation of this disorder. When pediatric dentists encounter these features, they should enquire about other symptoms, associated with celiac disease. In suspected cases, appropriate referral and a timely diagnosis can help prevent complications of this disorder.

A variety of esthetic restorative materials are available in dentistry for restoring primary teeth. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages. Complete coronal restoration of primary teeth with esthetic satisfaction of the patient is a significant concern. Pediatric zirconia crowns are commercially available on the market for complete coronal restoration. This paper reviews the published data on zirconia crowns for primary teeth.