The Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 disease COVID-19 pandemic caused several lifestyle changes, especially among younger people. The study aimed to describe the impact of eating habits, lifestyle, and home oral hygiene during the COVID-19 pandemic, on the cariogenic risk in the Italian paediatric population, by using an online survey. The survey was conducted through a virtual questionnaire divided into four parts: child personal and anthropometric data; oral health; child dietary habits (KIDMED test); and child lifestyle, before and during COVID-19 lockdown. During the lockdown, only 18.6% of the participants had high adherence to a Mediterranean diet, recording an increase in sweets consumption and the number of meals (p < 0.001). In terms of lifestyle, the percentage of moderately and vigorously active children decreased (41.4% and 5.0%, respectively) (p = 0.014). The percentage of children sleeping more than 9 h increased (p < 0.001). They watched more television programs (p < 0.001). Regarding oral hygiene, children did not change their brushing habits (p = 0.225). The percentage of children using non-fluoridated toothpaste was higher (6.4%), and no changes were observed (p > 0.05). In some cases, dental pain and abscesses were declared (10% and 2.7%, respectively). This study confirms the need for campaigns to promote hygiene and dental care in combination with food education for a correct habit and promotion of a healthy and sustainable dietary style.

Background: It is common today to encounter anxiety in patients facing dental treatment. Virtual reality (VR) is presented as a high-performing and innovative procedure because it can distract patients undergoing dental procedures or prepare them for such treatments. In addition, this meta-analysis has gathered evidence on VR and its ability to reduce dental anxiety in pediatric patients undergoing different treatments. Methods: The major Scopus, PubMed, EMBASE and Web of Science databases were searched for scientific articles published up to 2023. Studies in which VR was used for children and adults as a measure against anxiety during dental treatments were included. VR was defined as a three-dimensional place where patients experience a sense of immersion as they find themselves in attractive and interactive environments that detach them from reality. Anxiety and pain were examined and measured during dental treatments in which VR was used by comparing them with standard care situations. Results: Twenty-five studies were identified, of which eleven met the inclusion criteria. The effect of VR was studied mainly in the pediatric population as a distractive method. Only two studies (not significant) on an adult population were considered. Conclusions: this review shows that VR is an excellent distraction method that is effective in reducing anxiety before dental treatment; however, due to the few studies in this area, further research on VR as a tool to prepare patients for dental treatment is needed.

Several studies have demonstrated a strong relation between periodontal diseases and chronic kidney disease (CKD). The main mechanisms at the base of this link are malnutrition, vitamin dysregulation, especially of B-group vitamins and of C and D vitamins, oxidative stress, metabolic acidosis and low-grade inflammation. In particular, in hemodialysis (HD) adult patients, an impairment of nutritional status has been observed, induced not only by the HD procedures themselves, but also due to numerous CKD-related comorbidities. The alteration of nutritional assessment induces systemic manifestations that have repercussions on oral health, like oral microbiota dysbiosis, slow healing of wounds related to hypovitaminosis C, and an alteration of the supporting bone structures of the oral cavity related to metabolic acidosis and vitamin D deficiency. Low-grade inflammation has been observed to characterize periodontal diseases locally and, in a systemic manner, CKD contributes to the amplification of the pathological process, bidirectionally. Therefore, CKD and oral disease patients should be managed by a multidisciplinary professional team that can evaluate the possible co-presence of these two pathological conditions, that negatively influence each other, and set up therapeutic strategies to treat them. Once these patients have been identified, they should be included in a follow-up program, characterized by periodic checks in order to manage these pathological conditions.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is an extremely widespread pathology characterized by numerous metabolic alterations, including impairments of calcium–phosphorus and of vitamin D metabolisms, which lead to a condition known as CKD–mineral and bone disorders (CKD-MBDs). In CKD children, this pathological condition induces anomalies in physiological growth processes, alterations in bone morphology, renal osteodystrophy and rickets. CKD-MBDs are not only associated with systemic complications but also show dental and maxillofacial manifestations in children. In fact, children affected by CKD-MBDs present defects in enamel development and dental anomalies when compared to healthy children. Therefore, the aims of this narrative review are to focus on the hard dental tissues and to investigate the possible correlation between the CKD-MBDs in children and the presence of developmental defects of enamel. In addition, the possible risk and protective factors of dental caries in CKD pediatric patients are analyzed. The review describes, with a multidisciplinary nephrological–dental approach, the pathogenic mechanisms that can cause anomalies in dental structure in CKD pediatric patients.

Aim Biodentine^TM is a calcium-silicate based material that has been studied in recent years for a wide range of clinical applications in both Endodontics (pulp capping, pulpotomy, apexification, retrograde root end filling, repairing of root perforations and resorptions) and in Restorative Dentistry as a dentin substitute. The aim of this study was to review the physical-mechanical properties (porosity, setting time, compressive strength, bond strength/push-out bond strength, sealing ability, marginal adaptation, radiopacity, solubility, color stability) and biological properties (antimicrobial activity, biocompatibility, bioactivity) of Biodentine^TM (BD). Materials and methods BD has been analysed in its various physico-chemical aspects and mechanical and biological properties. Results Regarding biocompatibility, bioactivity, antibacterial properties, versatility, stability, sealing properties, compressive and flexural strength, BD fulfils the requirements. Its relatively easy handling, low cost and faster setting are the major advantages of this material when compared to previous calcium silicate cements. Conclusion Clinical studies of long term efficiency and high evidence are still lacking. BD has great potential to revolutionise the management in Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics, but also in Paediatric Dentistry, both for primary and permanent dentition.