This study aims to determine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, specifically considering the mandatory social isolation measures implemented, on the perceived stress of a sample of dentists and dental students from Latin America and the Caribbean, as well as the associated sociodemographic and pandemic-related variables. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with a sample of 2036 dentists and dental students (1433 women). For the main outcome, the 14-item Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-14) was used. The survey also questioned sociodemographic aspects, questions on the COVID-19 pandemic, health variables, and habits. Descriptive, bivariate, and multivariate analyses (linear regression) were applied to observe the factors associated with perceived stress. The PSS-14 mean score was 24.76 (±11.76). Hierarchical regression models showed significant variables associated with the PSS-14 scores: income level during mandatory social isolation, having older adults under care during mandatory social isolation, self-perceived level of concern regarding COVID-19, self-perceived health, Coffee consumption during mandatory social isolation. In general terms, the pandemic has influenced the personal, social, labor, and everyday life of dental staff and affected the mental health of this population specifically when perceived stress is considered. Public policies, strategies, and mental health surveillance systems are required for this population.

Background. Due to the high transmissibility of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), governments adopted preventive measures, such as social distancing and obligatory social immobilization, which negatively affected access to health services, including oral health services. Similarly, dental care restraint arose in this context, with the aim of reducing the possibility of cross-infection caused by aerosols, which notably restricted dental care activity. Objectives The aim of the study was to determine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the timing of dental care in Peruvian children. Material and methods. A cross-sectional study with a population of 42,115 respondents for 2019 and 20,510 for 2020 was conducted. The participants were children aged 0-11 years. The records of those who responded to the question on the time since their last dental care were considered, extracting a total of 22,166 (69.03%) subjects for 2019 and 9,945 (30.97%) subjects for 2020. The dependent variable consisted of the time since the last dental care measured in years; the variables of health, geographic and sociodemographic characteristics were grouped within 3 dimensions. Descriptive bivariate and multivariate analyses were applied by means of multiple linear regression in order to analyze the variables. Results. The time since the last dental care during 2019 was 5.25 +/- 4.30 years, and it increased to 6.64 +/- 4.90 years in 2020. Within the multivariate analysis, the dimensions and their variables were ordered hierarchically for 2019 and 2020 separately, and as a whole. Each model was not significant when observed independently (p > 0.05); however, when evaluated as a whole, validity was observed only in model 1 of the year (p = 0.018), with R-2 = 2.90, a constant equal to 3.852, the non-standardized regression coefficient (beta) of 1.653, and a 95% confidence interval (CI) of 0.289-3.018. Conclusions. The 2020 COVID-19 pandemic year had a negative impact on the timing of dental care in Peruvian children, increasing it by 1.39 years as compared to 2019.

Dentistry is one of the professions that are most exposed to the contagion with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‑19). However, the prevalence and positivity rates of COVID‑19 are low in dentists, indicating that the current measures of infection control may be sufficient to prevent infection in dental settings. The aim of the study was to determine whether the preventive measures for COVID‑19 during the mandatory social isolation were followed by dental students and dentists in Latin America and the Caribbean in 2020. A cross‑sectional study was conducted using anonymous virtual surveys in a convenience sample of 2,036 dental students and dentists from 21 Latin American and Caribbean coun‑ tries. The variables were the preventive measures for COVID‑19 and the sociodemographic characteristics. Descriptive and bivariate analyses were performed. The final sample included 2,036 dental students and dentists. The self‑perceived level of know‑ ledge about COVID‑19 was found to be associated with age, sex, body mass index (BMI), the type of aca‑ demic training, having a specialty in the case of professionals, the place of origin, and having met someone with COVID‑19 (p < 0.05). The self‑perceived level of concern regarding COVID‑19 was associated with sex, BMI and having met someone with COVID‑19 (p < 0.05). The number of days in the mandatory social isolation was associated with age, the type of academic training, having a specialty, the place of origin, and having met someone with COVID‑19 (p < 0.05). The confinement level was associated with age, sex, BMI, the type of academic training, and having met someone with COVID‑19 (p < 0.05). Following the preven‑ tive measures for COVID‑19 was associated with age, the type of academic training, having a specialty, the place of origin, and having met someone with COVID‑19 (p < 0.05). The use of face masks, hand washing and social distancing were associated with age, BMI, the type of academic training, the place of origin, and having met someone with COVID‑19 (p < 0.05). Dental students and dentists followed the preventive measures for COVID‑19 during the mandatory social isolation period in Latin America and the Caribbean in 2020.

Objective: The objective of the study was to compare the diagnostic accuracy of cone beam computed tomography and three intraoral radiographic systems in the detection of in vitro caries lesions. Material and Methods: One hundred teeth (46 molars and 54 premolars) were evaluated, including 176 proximal surfaces and 90 occlusal surfaces, with or without dental caries lesions. Digital images of all teeth were obtained using specific intraoral radiographs, VistaScan DürrDental®phosphor-plate radiography, XIOS XG Sirona® digital sensor radiography, and CBCT I-CATTM. Observers evaluated the images for the detection of caries lesions. The teeth were clinically sectioned and stereomicroscopy served as a validation tool. The relationship of sensitivity and specificity between all systems was determined through the ROC curve using Az values. Results: The values of the area under the curve (Az) selected for the CBCT I-CATTM system were 0.89 (0.84-0.93), for conventional radiography 0.71 (0.66-0.76), digital sensor radiography 0.74 (0.70-0.78) and digital radiography with phosphor-plates 0.73 (0.69-0.77). Statistically significant differences were found between the CBCT I-CATTM system and intraoral radiographic systems (p<0.01). The sensitivity and specificity values for the CBCT I-CATTM were 0.84 and 0.93 respectively. Conclusion: CBCT has a high sensitivity and specificity compared to intraoral radiographic systems for the diagnosis of dental caries lesions in vitro.

The process of examiner calibration is an essential step in all epidemiological research, as it aims to ensure uniform interpretation, understanding, and application of the instrument to be used. This ensures that the data collected will be valid and reliable. This study aimed to determine the differences in concordance in dental caries calibration across three dental specialties. The population consisted of 45 dentists, divided into three groups: 15 general dentists working in the public sector, 15 dentists specializing in Dental Public Health, and 15 dentists specializing in Restorative and Aesthetic Dentistry. The calibration process was carried out in three stages: theory, calibration using photographs, and calibration on natural teeth, performed by the gold standard. In the first validity process, a statistical difference was only found between the Kappa values of the inter-examiner calibration process using photographs. For the evaluation of teeth, in the second validity process, 33.33% (n = 15) of the participants achieved “almost perfect agreement.” Finally, only 75.56% (n = 34) of the examiners were considered for the reliability report; of this group, 52.94% (n = 18) were in “almost perfect agreement,” and 35.29% (n = 12) were in “substantial agreement.” The validity and reliability of the dental caries experience calibration process did not present significant statistical differences between general dentists in the public sector, dentists specializing in Dental Public Health, and dentists specializing in Restorative and Aesthetic Dentistry.