Background/Objectives: Dental anxiety in children is a common issue that can hinder the delivery of effective dental care. Traditional approaches to managing this are often insufficient or involve pharmacological interventions. This study shows the potential of virtual reality (VR) to aid in reducing anxiety in children undergoing simple dental procedures. By immersing children in relaxing VR environments (such as beaches, forests, mountains, or underwater scenes with calm music), the objective is to assess VR’s effectiveness in calming pediatrics patients during these procedures. Methods: Children scheduled for minor dental treatments wore a wearable device that monitored pulse, perspiration, and stress levels. Each child’s baseline data was collected without the VR headset, followed by data collection during VR exposure before and during dental procedures. VR scenarios ranged from soothing nature scenes to animated cartoons, designed to foster relaxation. Results: The data collected showed a reduction in physiological indicators of stress, such as lower heart rate and reduced perspiration, when the VR headset was used. Children appeared more relaxed, with a calmer response during the procedure itself, compared to baseline levels without VR. Conclusions: This study provides preliminary evidence supporting VR as an effective tool for reducing anxiety and stress in pediatric dental patients. By offering an engaging, immersive experience, VR can serve as an alternative or complementary approach to traditional anxiety management strategies in pediatric dentistry, potentially improving patient comfort and cooperation during dental procedures. Further research could determine if VR may serve as an alternative to local anesthesia for non-intrusive pediatric dental procedures.

Background/Objectives: Diet is a primary and modifiable determinant of gut microbiota composition, diversity, and metabolic activity, thereby shaping microbial-derived metabolites, immune and inflammatory signalling, neuroendocrine regulation, and neural communication with the central nervous system. Western dietary patterns, characterised by high intake of ultra-processed foods, saturated fats, and low dietary fibre, are consistently associated with gut dysbiosis, impaired intestinal barrier function, chronic low-grade inflammation, and increased risk of depression, anxiety, cognitive impairment, and neurodegenerative disorders. Methods: This narrative review synthesises evidence from human observational studies, randomised controlled trials, animal models, and mechanistic investigations examining interactions among diet, gut microbiota, and mental health or neurobiological outcomes. Literature searches were conducted in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science for articles published up to December 2025. Results: The study highlights the therapeutic potential and limitations of dietary interventions, prebiotics, probiotics, and psychobiotics, and critically evaluates them. Also facilitates an improved understanding of diet–microbiome–brain interactions, which may help the development of personalised, nutrition-based strategies integrated into mental health prevention and clinical care. Conclusions: These findings support diet-based, microbiome-informed strategies as scalable adjuncts in mental health prevention and care.

Background/Objectives: The prevalence of dental caries in Romania is significantly high, especially among children and adolescents. We aimed to assess the prevalence of dental caries and their associated factors among schoolchildren aged 6–11 years learning at urban and rural schools from Mureş County, Romania. Methods: This cross-sectional study included a sample of 1124 children, aged 6–8 years (n = 524), as well as aged 9–11 years (n = 600). Nine schools in Mureş County, Romania, were selected for screening, based on their location (4 schools from urban areas and 5 schools from rural areas). Data were collected based on children’s visual dental screenings and a self-administered questionnaire addressed to their parents to collect information about oral health behaviors, sugar consumption, and dental care history. Dental clinical examination was performed by specialists, and DMFT/dmft values were recorded. Binary logistic and negative binomial regression analyses were used to assess the factors associated with dental caries. Results: Among 6–8-year-olds, the prevalence of untreated decay was 76.5% and the prevalence of caries experience was 77.7% (mean dmft = 3.9). Among 9–11-year-olds, the prevalence of untreated decay was 43.5% and the prevalence of caries experience was 48.2% (mean DMFT = 1.9). Among the most significant factors associated with caries prevalence were school location (p = 0.04 for children aged 6–8 years, and p < 0.001 for 9–11 years); the employment status of mothers (p = 0.04 for 9–11 years); eating sweets ≥4 times/day (p = 0.04 for 6–8 years); brushing time ≥3 min (p = 0.03 for 9–11 years); as well as past dental restorative treatments or emergency (p < 0.001 for all the children examined). Conclusions: Preventive measures and innovative educational interventions are needed to mitigate the impact of dental caries prevalence on the health and education of schoolchildren.

Context: The increasing incidence of secondary caries and the failure of restorations have intensified research into dental restorative materials capable of actively interacting with the oral environment. In this context, antibacterial and bioregenerative nanomaterials have attracted growing scientific interest due to their potential to inhibit biofilm formation while simultaneously supporting mineral repair processes. Objective: This narrative review analyzes recent developments in nanostructured materials for restorative dentistry and oral health applications, with particular emphasis on antibacterial agents, bioactive systems, and emerging dual-function approaches that integrate multiple biological functions into restorative materials. Scope of the Review: The analyzed literature indicates that metallic nanoparticles, cationic monomers, and natural nanopolymers can reduce bacterial adhesion and metabolic activity under experimental conditions. In parallel, bioactive nanomaterials such as nanohydroxyapatite, bioactive glass, and calcium phosphate-based systems have demonstrated the ability to release remineralizing ions and to promote mineral deposition at the tooth–material interface. Dual-function hybrid materials aim to combine these antibacterial and bioregenerative effects within a single restorative system. Interpretative Perspective: Despite these advances, most available evidence derives from in vitro and preclinical studies, with significant heterogeneity across experimental models, evaluation methods, and outcome variables. This variability limits direct comparisons between studies and necessitates a cautious interpretation of claims regarding long-term antibacterial efficacy, functional tissue regeneration, and routine clinical applicability. Conclusions: Antibacterial and bioregenerative nanomaterials represent a relevant and continuously evolving research direction in restorative dentistry. Their successful clinical translation will depend on establishing standardized testing protocols, conducting comprehensive safety assessments, and generating clinically relevant evidence supporting long-term efficacy and biological compatibility. Their successful clinical translation will depend on establishing standardized testing protocols, conducting comprehensive safety assessments, and generating clinically relevant evidence supporting long-term efficacy and biological compatibility.

Universities play a strategic role in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through community engagement, particularly within medical education. This study examines medical students’ involvement in volunteering activities and evaluates how such engagement contributes to SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 4 (Quality Education). A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 499 students from the Victor Babeș University of Medicine and Pharmacy in Timișoara, using a structured questionnaire assessing perceived community impact, soft skills development, motivation for volunteering, sustainability orientation, and institutional support. Results indicate a high level of availability and prior participation in volunteering, reflecting strong internalization of public health and social responsibility values. While no significant differences were observed between volunteers and non-volunteers regarding perceived community impact (SDG 3), volunteer experience was significantly associated with higher levels of soft skills development and motivation (SDG 4). Strong positive correlations were identified between perceived community impact and motivational, educational, and sustainability related dimensions. The intensity of involvement was modestly associated with sustainability orientation and institutional support. Despite high motivation, students reported limited structured institutional frameworks for sustained engagement. The findings suggest that medical volunteering functions as a dual mechanism, strengthening professional competencies while reinforcing community health orientation. Institutionalizing structured outreach programs, particularly in underserved areas, could enhance long-term impact and align medical education more effectively with the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda.

Background: The clinical translation of natural nanomaterials and smart delivery systems in regenerative dentistry relies heavily on practitioner acceptance; however, end-user perspectives remain under-investigated. Objective: This study evaluated dental practitioners’ self-reported knowledge, attitudes, and perceived barriers regarding these innovations. The questionnaire examined stated intention and self-reported willingness, not clinical behaviour. Methods: A cross-sectional survey using convenience sampling was conducted among 713 Romanian dentists. Statistical analysis included Chi-square tests and odds ratio estimation to identify factors associated with willingness to adopt nano-formulations. Results: Self-reported familiarity was moderate, with only 19.1% of respondents describing themselves as “very familiar” with nanodentistry; nevertheless, 77.3% believed natural nano-formulations could match synthetic efficacy. High costs (36.5%), lack of long-term evidence (35.9%), and staining concerns (46.0%) were identified as primary perceived barriers. Experience with digital technologies (CAD/CAM) was significantly associated with a positive attitude toward adoption (OR = 2.05, 95% CI: 1.41–2.98, p < 0.001). Conclusions: Respondents demonstrated a generally positive attitude toward integrating bioactive nanomaterials, though widespread adoption is currently limited by economic, educational, and evidentiary gaps. Future strategies should focus on establishing clear clinical protocols, providing robust long-term safety data, and improving the aesthetic stability of natural biomaterials.