The global spread of COVID-19 forced schools at all educational levels to close, which was repeated in more than 60 countries. In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the mental health of dental students world wide. This study hypothesizes that the prevalence of depression in dental students from El Salvador is higher than that reported in studies from Europe, Asia, and North America. This study was an online cross-sectional survey performed at the Faculty of Dentistry of the University of Salvador. The PHQ-9 questionnaire was applied to know the level of depression of the students, and a questionnaire focused on learning the opinion of the students on the hybrid teaching model adopted. Approximately 450 students participated in both questionnaires. Regarding the levels of depression present in the students, 14% had minimal depression, 29% had medium depression, 23% had moderate depression and, 34% had severe depression. The students had an excellent opinion regarding the hybrid learning model. The prevalence of depression in dental students in El Salvador seems to be higher than that reported in studies in non-Latin American countries. Therefore, universities must generate care plans for mental health to avoid these harmful effects on students during future contingencies.

Introduction: Older adults are a highly vulnerable group in their general health condition, including oral health that can be influenced by different factors, among them, changes in oral tissues inherent to the physiological processes of aging and by systemic condition. In El Salvador, it is a group that has received little attention at the public health level. Objective: To determine the profile of the oral health status and treatment needs of the elderly population in El Salvador. Materials and methods: Secondary cross-sectional analysis of data from the last oral health survey in 471 Salvadorans aged 60 years and older. The variables under study were: sociodemographics, brushing frequency, oral hygiene according to simplified oral hygiene index (OHI-S), caries experience according to decayed, missing, and filled teeth index (DMFT) modified with international caries detection and assessment system (ICDAS) criteria, periodontal status through the community periodontal index of treatment needs (CPITN), edentulism and treatment needs. Statistical analysis was conducted using chi-square test, ANOVA, z-test and linear regression (p < 0.05). Results: The older adults presented poor oral hygiene, low brushing frequency, high tooth loss with an average of 16 missing teeth while one third presented total edentulism. Most of the older adults were categorized as having "poor or very Poor" oral hygiene. Almost all respondents presented some degree of periodontal disease and required restorative intervention. Conclusion: The oral health status of elderly Salvadoran is poor. Furthermore, the development of public policies and specific oral health strategies aimed at this population is urgent.

Research with nanoparticles for the treatment and prevention of dental caries is of special interest given the high prevalence of the disease worldwide. Several studies support the use of nanoparticles associated with materials given their antimicrobial properties and potential demineralization reduction. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of the application of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and chitosan gel in combination with commercial fluoride varnish on the remineralization of dental enamel. Ninety-six tooth blocks were macroscopically evaluated via stereomicroscopy, ICDAS II, and laser fluorescence. Enamel blocks were subjected to artificial demineralization and divided into four exposure groups (24, 48, 120, and 168 h), and five different remineralizing agents were applied, namely, FV (fluoride varnish), FV + CG (fluoride varnish + chitosan gel), FV + AgNPs (fluoride varnish + AgNPs), FV + AgNPs + CG (fluoride varnish + AgNPs + chitosan gel), and AgNPs + CG (AgNPs + chitosan gel). Enamel surface changes were evaluated via laser fluorescence, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Laser fluorescence results obtained from demineralized blocks and subsequently exposed to remineralizing treatment indicate significant differences. After exposure to remineralizing agents, hydroxyapatite and modified apatite phases were identified mainly in the samples treated with FV + AgNPs + CG in the groups exposed for 24, 48, and 120 h. The FV + AgNPs + CG and AgNPs + CG indicate good performance in terms of the Ca/P ratio in in vitro demineralization compared to the group treated with fluorine varnish.

Objetivo: Publicar manuscrito de creación del Bio-Banco de Órganos Dentales de la Facultad de Odontología, Universidad de El Salvador, como entidad sin fines de lucro que contiene una colección de dientes debidamente clasificados, almacenados, etiquetados y catalogados a partir de donaciones con el fin de proporcionar a estudiantes, profesores e investigadores órganos dentales que cumplan protocolos estandarizados, con especificaciones éticas, legales y de bioseguridad para disminuir y eliminar el comercio ilegal de órganos, beneficiando de esta manera las actividades académicas y proyectos de investigación. Materiales y métodos: El manuscrito corresponde al diseño de una revisión bibliográfica, se realizó búsqueda en bases de datos biomédicas y repositorios institucionales se incluyeron 32 artículos científicos, 7 programas académicos del pregrado en Cirugía Dental de la FOUES, 3 normas sanitarias nacionales y la política nacional sobre ética y legalidad para la creación del Bio-Banco. Resultados: Creación del BBOD como Proyecto Académico especial, adscrito al Centro de Investigación de la FOUES, regido bajo las normas éticas, legales y de bioseguridad nacionales e internacionales, por protocolos internos para el correcto funcionamiento, mantenimiento y conservación de las muestras biológicas resguardadas y avalado por el Comité Nacional de Ética. Conclusión: El Bio-Banco, es un centro regido bajo normas éticas, legales y de bioseguridad nacionales e internacionales y por protocolos internos para el funcionamiento, mantenimiento y conservación de las muestras biológicas, avalado por el Comité Nacional de Ética, con el propósito principal de proveer órganos dentales para fines académicos y de investigación.

SARS-CoV-2 is the seventh betacoronavirus that infects the human species. It is characterized by high transmissibility and relatively low lethality. The disease occurs in mild form in the majority of the population and increases the probability of severity and fatality in adults over 65 years old, with previous Non-Communicable Chronic Diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, respiratory diseases and obesity. This revision article presents parameters based on scientific evidence, to guide the decision making for dentists when providing dental care and to limit the cross-infection risk in the context of the current state of the COVID-19 pandemic. Prior to an appointment, the call or video call is the first choice to define the triage, since it allows classifying the risk of COVID-19 infection of a patient and establishing the level of priority of treatment. The algorithm for decision-making in dental care clinics during the emergency period due to COVID-19 should constitute a recommendation to be practiced by the dentist who treats emergencies in patients, given that it allows the classification of infection risks and lethality defining the treatments as elective, urgent or emergency.

Una de las líneas de estudio del Centro de Investigaciones de la Facultad de Odontología de la Universidad de El Salvador, es la vigilancia epidemiológica de la condición de salud bucal, siendo la encuesta nacional de salud bucal en el 2016 -2017 una de las primeras investigaciones realizadas en conjunto con el Ministerio de Salud. Siguiendo esa línea, se expone el estudio Vigilancia epidemiológica de enfermedades bucales de población atendida en Unidades de Salud en el año 2021, el cual presenta la prevalencia de enfermedades bucales, algunos factores asociados y necesidades de tratamiento. Posterior al confinamiento y distanciamiento social por la pandemia COVID -19, durante el 2021, se realizó una entrevista y examen clínico a 2000 pacientes de 5 a N años, atendidos en 20 establecimientos de salud distribuidos en diferentes regiones de El Salvador; los resultados serán la evidencia para evaluar y potenciar los planes de salud o la adopción de nuevas medidas de prevención y control. Así mismo en este sistema de vigilancia, se incluye población gestante. Del total de la población estudiada, el 74.85 % (1497) fueron del sexo femenino, de las cuales el 35.74 % fueron gestantes. El 65.11 % de los hombres y el 75.56 % de las mujeres, presentaron nivel óptimo de higiene bucal. El índice ceod/CPOD y el cariado va en aumento en relación con la edad, a los 12 años el porcentaje de niños con caries fue del 11.71 %; en el de 15 años 16.57 % y en los de 35 a 44 años el 53.71 %. En cuanto a la condición periodontal a través del CPITN las edades de 35 a 44 años el 80.68 % presentó cálculo sin bolsa periodontal. La rehabilitación protésica en general es muy baja y ningún adolescente está rehabilitado, siendo el 30.19 % de pacientes rehabilitados en las edades de 35 a 44 años.