Objective: To compare the influence of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic on the student reported outcomes among dental students reading/studying different courses offered in the only dental school in Malta.Materials and methods: An anonymous questionnaire consisting of 13 closed‐ended and open‐ended questions was sent to all students (n = 97) at the Faculty of Dental Surgery at the University of Malta. Emergent themes from open‐ended questions were identified and tallied. Since data were classified as categorical ranks, nonparametric tests were used to compare variables among the different courses, years of study, preclinical/clinical students, and gender categories.Results: Dental technology students were significantly less stressed about contracting COVID‐19 (P = 0.005) and regarding lack of preparation due to inability to physically go to the library (P = 0.019). Female students reported significantly more anxiety for the following factors: “feeling anxious all the time” (P = 0.033), “worried about contracting COVID‐19′” (P = 0.012), “worried that a family member may contract COVID‐19′” (P = 0.048), “more anxious about exams this year because of the challenges we are facing” (P = 0.029), and “concern about losing manual dexterity skills” (P = 0.038). Qualitative data gathered show considerable stress reported by students regarding changes in examination processes and formats and lack of timely communication.Conclusion: Students were greatly affected by the COVID‐19 pandemic and this caused fear of losing their manual dexterity skills, anxiety related to its consequences on their long‐term plans, and anxiety related to the examinations. Dental schools in turn should adapt rapidly and customize changes that are specific to the individual student cohort and their stage of training.

Background: Intraoral scanning (IOS) technologies have been constantly developed and improved. This systematic review aimed at assessing studies in the recent literature describing factors that influence the trueness of intraoral scans. Methods: Comparative in vitro and in vivo (i.e., interventional and observational) studies that quantitatively assessed the trueness of intraoral scans and that identified factors significantly affecting IOS trueness values were considered eligible for inclusion. The PUBMED and EMBASE databases were searched for articles published in the last two years (from February 2020 to February 2022). Data assessment and extraction were performed according to the guidelines of the PRISMA statement. Results: The present search strategy yielded 13 publications. An initial screening of the publications was performed using abstracts and key words, and after application of exclusion criteria, a total of nine studies were finally identified as eligible to be discussed. Several factors significantly affecting IOS were identified. Conclusions: Studies using current IOS technologies revealed that the device, scanning distance, operator experience, rescanning and post-processing scans, conditions of the preparations and presence of adjacent teeth are factors significantly affecting IOS trueness.

To assess oral hygiene and dietary patterns in school children participating in a school-based preventive oral health program during the COVID-19 pandemic. In this cross-sectional study, an anonymous questionnaire exploring oral hygiene and dietary patterns during the COVID-19 pandemic was completed by parents of school children. Data were compared among different schools, school years, and between genders using nonparametric tests. Associations among further nominal and categorical variables related to oral hygiene and dietary habits were also assessed using the chi-square test. Only 26% (n = 32) of parents reported that their children brushed their teeth the recommended amount of twice or more per day during the pandemic. In addition, 17.2% of the parents reported less brushing than before the pandemic. A total of 40 parents (32.8%) reported that their child consumed unhealthy beverages once a day or more. Comparison between genders revealed that male participants were drinking significantly unhealthier than female (p = 0.038). Sugary foods were consumed once a day or more by 63.1% of children. No significant differences were found between public and church schools. Significant direct associations were found between changes in dietary habits and brushing frequency (p = 0.017), between parental concern regarding the interruption of the school program and decreased brushing frequency (p = 0.005), and negative changes in dietary habits (p = 0.013). Within the limitations of this study, the present significant findings observed during the pandemic support the importance of school programs in promoting oral hygiene and healthy dietary habits of children. Agius A-M, Gatt G, Cortes ARG, et al. Patterns in Oral Hygiene and Dietary Habits in School Children during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2023;16(2):205-210.

Introduction: Intraoral scanners with fluorescence technology (IOSFT) include a caries detection feature in addition to their standard scanning function. The aim of this study was to determine the diagnostic performance of the caries detection tool of the IOSFT Trios 4® on permanent premolar and molar surfaces when compared to visual and radiographic International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS). Methods: Participants (n = 71, age 6–88 years) were examined under standardised conditions using ICDAS criteria for visual caries detection of occlusal and smooth surfaces. Bitewing (BW) radiographs were used to examine proximal surfaces using ICDAS radiographic criteria. Finally, participants underwent an intraoral scan of both the maxilla and the mandible according to the manufacturer’s instructions. The automated caries detection (ACD) output on the IOSFT software was compared to the visual ICDAS scores obtained clinically for occlusal and free smooth (buccal and lingual) surfaces; the IOSFT caries detection output was compared to radiographic ICDAS scores from BW radiographs for interproximal (mesial and distal) surfaces. Sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy values for each tooth surface were calculated. Results: Out of 3,684 permanent tooth surfaces examined, 461 surfaces with dental caries were included in the analysis. 392 were initial lesions (ICDAS 1–2), while 69 were moderate/severe (ICDAS 3–6). There was a moderate positive correlation (r = 0.4, p < 0.001) when comparing all ICDAS scores to IOSFT ACD categories for unrestored permanent occlusal surfaces. IOSFT ACD accuracy was higher for moderate/advanced lesions (ICDAS 3–6) lesions when compared to initial (ICDAS 1–2) ones (81% vs. 37.7%). For unrestored smooth surfaces, weak positive correlations were found when comparing all ICDAS scores to IOSFT ACD categories (r = 0.19, p < 0.001). Accuracy results for smooth surfaces were 93.5% for moderate/advanced and 77.1% for initial lesions. Correlations between BW ICDAS scores and IOSFT ACD scores for proximal surfaces were weak (r = 0.07, p = 0.019). Diagnostic accuracy was higher for moderate/advanced lesions when compared to initial ones (83.5% vs. 40.4%). There was a weak correlation between IOSFT ACD categories and ICDAS/visual categories for restored occlusal surfaces (r = 0.029, p = 0.68). Conclusion: IOSFT cannot currently replace visual and radiographic exams for caries detection.

Intra-oral scanners (IOS) have been widely used to obtain digital impressions for treatment planning and to enable a full digital workflow on virtual patients. Much less is known about the use of IOS for caries detection. This study focuses on the use of the scanners for caries detection and investigates the number of images, time and patient experiences as well as differences between operators. Participants were recruited if they had caries present, their teeth were cleaned using a prophy brush and water and then scanned in a standardised manner. Some participants were scanned a second time by another operator. The automated caries detection results as well as the number of images needed and time taken per jaw scanned was noted. Participants were also asked to complete a questionnaire regarding their experience during the scanning process. Data sets (scanning time and number of images) from 78 participants were both found to be non-normal using the Shapiro Wilk test (p < 0.001). A Mann-Whitney U test revealed that both the time taken (U = 17772.500, z = -8.066, p < 0.001) as well as the number of images needed (U = 15252.000, z =-9.651, p < 0.0001) were significantly higher for the maxilla when compared to the mandible. The same test also showed that significantly more time (U = 102718.500, z = 14.505, p < 0.0001) and images (U = 108395.500, z = 16.457, p < 0.0001) were needed for scanning permanent teeth when compared to primary teeth. The questionnaire revealed that the vast majority of participants (87%) found the scanning procedure comfortable and acceptable but there were statistically significant differences in discomfort experienced in different areas of the mouth, with the most uncomfortable area scanned being the distal surfaces of the upper molars (p < 0.001). A Wilcoxon Signed Rank test revealed no significance difference in jaw scanning time (z = 0.118, n = 12, p = 0.906) and number of images taken per arch (z = 1.255, n = 12, p = 0.209) between the operators. Cohen’s Weighted Kappa yielded the following significant result: κ = 0.744, p < 0.0001 showing good agreement between the operators’ automated caries detection results. Intra-oral scanning is well-accepted by patients even when used for caries detection. This scanner also yields similar results for different operators which makes it a reliable tool. Not applicable.