Purpose: Assessing the microleakage of glass ionomer restorations (GIC) prepared with both conventional and Er:YAG laser techniques in Class V cavities is the purpose of the study.Material and Methods: Twenty teeth with Class V cavities (4mm wide, 3mm high, 3mm deep) were used. Cavities were prepared on the buccal and lingual surfaces of teeth which were randomly separated into four groups. Er:YAG laser was used to prepare cavities in Groups II and IV, conventionally diamond bur was used to prepare cavities in Groups I and III. Then, Groups I and II were restored with conventional GIC (Ketac Molar Easymix, 3MEspe, Seefeld, Germany) and high viscosity GIC with resin coating (EQUIA Fil, GC Dental Co., Tokyo, Japan) to restore Groups III and IV. Samples were stored in distilled water at 37 degrees C for 24 hours before subjecting to thermo-cycling (500 cycles,5 degrees C-55 degrees C). In a chewing simulator, all teeth were exposed to 50.000 cycles. We used 0.5% aqueous basic fuchsin dye to stain the samples and sectioned them bucco-lingually. Scoring dye penetration was made under a stereomicroscope. The data were analyzed by Kruskal-Wallis One-Way ANOVA and Mann-Whitney U tests.Results: While the highest microleakage scores were obtained in the group prepared with Er: YAG laser and restored with conventional GIC the lowest microleakage scores were obtained in the group prepared with Er:YAG laser and restored with high viscosity GIC. When cavities prepared with Er:YAG laser or conventional method were restored with high viscosity GIC, no statistically significant difference was found between them (p> 0.05).Conclusion: High viscosity GIC can be preferred as a restorative material in the restorations of Class V cavities prepared using both conventional and Er:YAG lasers.

OBJECTIVE: To report on the level of knowledge of people about Covid-19 symptoms, transmission routes and personal protective equipment use during the Covid-19 pandemic normalization process, to determine the health institutions they will prefer for dental treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 226 individuals aged 18 and over who went to dental institutions like dentsitry of faculties, dental clinics, public and private hospitals at least once in the last 2 years participated in this survey. RESULTS: The range with the highest number of participants is the 20-30 age group; university graduated, small family and a household of 3 people. Participants have a high level of knowledge about Covid-19 symptoms and transmission routes (p=0,001). Surgical masks(94%), hand disinfectants(95%) are the most common measures taken for Covid-19, while N95(24%) and visor(21%) are used the least. No significant relationship was found between socio-demographic characteristics and the level of knowledge about Covid-19 symptoms and transmission routes, and the use of personal protective equipment (p>0,05). Dentsitry of faculties monitor body temperature and mask use, and dental clinics monitor the use of masks more carefully than other health institutions (p=0,05). Among the reasons for the preference of health instutiations the precautions taken regarding the epidemic were not preferred,but only the ease of transportation(p=0,02) and financial reasons(p=0,00) were effective. 46% of the participants are aware of the measures taken by health institutions against Covid-19. CONCLUSION:Participants have sufficient knowledge about the transmission routes and symptoms of Covid-19. The Covid-19 pandemic was not effective in determining the health institution they would prefer.