Background/Objectives: Congenital heart disease (CHD) is the most common birth defect, an important cause of morbidity and mortality, with a reported prevalence of 5–12 per 1000 live births. The aim of our study was to identify the role of fetal morphological ultrasound examination in the first and second trimester of pregnancy in the detection of fetal congenital cardiac anomalies in a low-risk population. Methods: We performed a retrospective study in a tertiary fetal medicine center in Emergency Hospital Craiova, Romania. The longitudinal analysis combined first- and second-trimester screening using improved ultrasound protocols. Our study evaluated 8944 pregnant women with singleton pregnancies in a 6-year period between January 2018 and December 2023. All ultrasound examinations were performed using a standard extended protocol according to the main guidelines’ recommendations for the detection of fetal anomalies. Results: In the first trimester of pregnancy, 37 cases with cardiac anomalies were diagnosed. Thirteen of these cases were associated with genetic anomalies (Down syndrome—eight cases, Edwards syndrome—four cases, Turner syndrome—one case). Some of these pregnancies were associated with at least one of the minor ultrasound markers (inverted ductus venosus, abnormal flow in the tricuspid valve, presence of choroid plexus cysts, absent/hypoplastic nasal bone). In the second trimester of pregnancy, 17 cases of cardiac anomalies were diagnosed. From these cases, one was associated with genetic anomalies (DiGeorge Syndrome), and one case developed hydrops and delivered prematurely in the early third trimester. Conclusions: Ultrasound screening for the detection of congenital heart disease is feasible early in pregnancy, but some anomalies would be obvious later in pregnancy. An early diagnosis using an extended ultrasound protocol, genetic testing, and a multidisciplinary evaluation would improve the prognosis and the overall survival rate by delivering in a tertiary center that allows for rapid cardiac surgery in dedicated cases.

Background/Objectives: Over the years, the potential of the first-trimester (FT) ultrasound in the detection of fetal structural defects has increased. The main objectives of the first-trimester fetal screening evaluation are the detection of major structural anomalies and the diagnosis of additional sonographic markers for chromosomal disorders. When a fetal anomaly is diagnosed, patients have the right to be informed about the risks, necessary interventions, or alternatives. Depending on the severity of the anomalies and the pregnancy period, the legality of the pregnancy termination was evaluated. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of the first-trimester morphological screening of the fetus using an ultrasound protocol according to the latest international protocols (the ISUOG protocol). Methods: Between 1 January 2024 and 31 December 2024, 854 pregnancies with gestational ages between 11 weeks and 13 weeks + 6 days were morphologically evaluated during the nuchal scan in the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department of the Emergency County Hospital from Craiova. Both transabdominal and transvaginal ultrasound in 2D and in a color Doppler mode were used in the scanning technique. The ultrasound findings were correlated with the genetic testing results and pregnancy outcome. The medical law implications were related to the cases where the ultrasound was performed at about 13 weeks of gestation, and the screening genetic results showed an increased pregnancy risk, which arose during the FT. In these cases, we performed amniocentesis at about 16–17 weeks of gestation, and especially, the Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT)-positive cases were confirmed by karyotyping. Still, at this gestational age of diagnosis, the Romanian law would not allow abortions. Results: By using this extended FT ultrasound protocol, we detected 58 cases with fetal structural anomalies. Eighteen cases were also associated with genetic syndromes after performing chorionic villous sampling (CVS). Three cases detected with minor structural anomalies (two cases with club foot and one case with a cleft upper lip) were lost to follow-up. Conclusions: Fetal morphological ultrasound evaluation is feasible in the late first trimester. By using an extended ultrasound protocol, we can detect most of the fetal structural anomalies and contribute to better medical counseling and improve pregnancy outcomes.

Background: Oral symptoms and preventive dental-care practices during pregnancy remain insufficiently characterized in Romania. This study described self-reported oral manifestations, oral-hygiene practices, and dental attendance and explored their cross-sectional associations with gingival bleeding, dental pain, and perceived oral-health impact. Methods: This single-center cross-sectional study included 101 pregnant women recruited at the Ginecho Clinic, Craiova, Romania, between October 2025 and July 2026. Participants completed a 21-item electronic questionnaire in the clinic with clarification available from the medical team. Oral conditions were self-reported/perceived rather than clinically diagnosed. Prevalence ratios (PRs) were estimated using Poisson regression with robust variance; multivariable models simultaneously included preventive behaviors, maternal age, parity, and trimester. Results: Gingival bleeding (68.3%), gingival swelling (66.3%), and salivary-flow alterations (57.4%) were frequently reported. Most participants brushed once daily (66.3%), never used interdental cleaning (68.3%), and had not attended a dental visit during pregnancy (81.2%). In adjusted models, brushing at least twice daily was associated with lower prevalence of gingival bleeding (aPR = 0.56; 95% CI: 0.32–0.97) and higher perceived oral-health impact (aPR = 0.47; 95% CI: 0.23–0.99). No preventive behavior was significantly associated with dental pain after simultaneous adjustment. Conclusions: Self-reported oral manifestations were common and preventive practices were limited in this convenience sample. These exploratory associations do not establish temporality or causality and require confirmation in prospective studies using validated instruments and clinical oral examinations.

Background: Bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (BRONJ) is a severe adverse event associated with antiresorptive therapy, particularly bisphosphonates, and represents a significant challenge in oral and maxillofacial practice. This study aimed to characterize the epidemiological profile, clinical presentation, and anatomical distribution of bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (BRONJ) and to investigate potential associations between demographic variables and major underlying systemic diseases. Methods: A retrospective single-center observational study was performed using medical records collected between January 2020 and December 2025 at the Emergency County Clinical Hospital of Craiova. After data validation and removal of duplicate records, 121 patients diagnosed with osteonecrosis of the jaw were identified. Among them, 94 patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria for BRONJ and were included in both the statistical and clinical analyses. Demographic characteristics, systemic diseases, bisphosphonate therapy, lesion localization, clinical manifestations, and statistical associations were evaluated using appropriate non-parametric and categorical statistical methods. Results: The final analytical sample comprised 94 patients with BRONJ associated with bisphosphonate therapy. Of these, 75 (79.8%) had received bisphosphonates for malignant disease and 19 (20.2%) for osteoporosis. The mandible was affected in 77% of patients, predominantly in the posterior premolar–molar region, whereas maxillary lesions mainly involved the posterior maxilla and maxillary tuberosity. Exposed necrotic bone was identified in all patients, while purulent discharge and oral fistulas were recorded in 37% and 35% of cases, respectively. Associations involving sex, age, residence, diabetes, hypertension, and other comorbidities were re-evaluated using the final 94-patient cohort. Conclusions: Among the BRONJ cases identified at this referral center, most patients had received bisphosphonate therapy for malignant disease, and lesions showed a marked predilection for the mandible, particularly its posterior region. These findings describe the clinical profile of the cases managed at our institution but do not permit estimation of BRONJ incidence or comparative risk between treatment regimens. The results support careful dental assessment before bisphosphonate therapy and multidisciplinary follow-up of patients receiving antiresorptive treatment.

Background/Objectives: Medico-legal preparedness is relevant throughout dental education because awareness develops before independent clinical responsibility is assumed. This study examined malpractice awareness, self-perceived preparedness, legal awareness and defensive-practice tendencies among Romanian dental students, residents and dentists. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted between May and June 2026 among 176 participants from the Faculty of Dentistry and its associated professional community in Craiova, Romania. The author-developed questionnaire was completed online (n = 134) or on paper at a professional conference (n = 42). Associations were assessed using non-parametric tests, ordinal logistic regression and robust linear regression. A sensitivity analysis excluded early-year students. Results: Respondents demonstrated moderate legal awareness (mean 3.29 of 5), whilst only 8.0% felt well or very well prepared to manage a malpractice-related situation. In the main model, previous legal training was associated with greater preparedness (adjusted odds ratio 2.52, 95% CI 1.03–6.15), as were resident status and professional clinical experience. In the clinically exposed subgroup (n = 68), practising dentists reported greater preparedness than clinical-year students, whereas familiarity with malpractice and paper-based participation were associated with stronger defensive-practice tendencies. Conclusions: Awareness of medico-legal issues is present across dental education, but perceived preparedness remains limited. The findings support longitudinal, applied medico-legal education and require cautious interpretation because early-year and clinically experienced respondents evaluated partly different aspects of the same phenomenon.