Changes in the teaching of prosthodontics adopted in the last academic course of the degree in Dentistry in Spain during the first period of the COVID-19 pandemic

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in the teaching of prosthodontics, on the 5^th course of the Bachelor's degree in Dentistry in Spain.

METHODS

In June 2021, a two-section survey was submitted to the coordinators of prosthodontics of the 23 Spanish faculties of Dentistry. The first section was focused on the theoretical lessons, seminars, and clinical discussion sessions. The second part relied on the clinical teaching and the implemented preventive measures.

RESULTS

The response rate was 100%. By the end of the 2020-21 course, both the theoretical and practical teaching were replaced by online activities, returning to face-to face in 2021-22. While most participants preferred in-person seminars and clinical discussion sessions, concerning the theory, comparable percentages of professors chose either face-to-face or blended learning (BL). The students' satisfaction with BL is high, but they seem more attentive in-person. At the beginning of the pandemic, the most common emergency in prosthodontics was debonding. Overall, a low concern about cross-infection was noticed. The barrier measures were the mainly adopted for prevention.

CONCLUSIONS

Although the BL is appreciated in prosthodontics for theoretical lessons, face-to-face teaching appears to be the best option for seminars and clinical case discussions. The students are satisfied with BL.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

In the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Spanish faculties of Dentistry responded quickly to continuing offering quality education through an accelerated digitization process that has created a new paradigm. Detailed analyses of these changes may help establish plans to respond systematically to unforeseen emergencies.

Quantitative Fit Test of a 3D Printed Frame Fitted Over a Surgical Mask: An Alternative Option to N95 Respirator

Background

COVID-19 has spread worldwide and caused severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) led to numerous dead cases. However, with the new COVID-19 outbreaks, there is a shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE) especially N95 masks worldwide including Thailand. This issue had placed the health professional in great need of an alternative mask.

Aim

This study aimed to measure the fit factor of 3D printed frames by quantitative fit testing (QNFT) to find an alternative facemask by using a mask fitter together with 2 different kinds of the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) level 1 surgical mask.

Materials and Methods

Two commonly used surgical masks (Sultan Com-Fit Super Sensitive Ear Loop Mask or “White Mask Group,” not water-resistant, and Sultan Blue Com-Fit Super High Filtration Ear Loop Mask or “Blue Mask Group,” water-resistant) with and without 3D printed frame covering. The fit performance was measured by a quantitative fit test (QNFT) device (PortaCount, model 8048, TSI Incorporated, Minnesota, USA) accepted by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). The PortaCount device, which is based on a miniature continuous flow condensation nucleus counter (CNC), assesses the respiratory fit by comparing the concentration of ambient dust particles outside the surgical mask to the concentration that has leaked into the surgical mask. The ratio of these two concentrations (C_out/C_in) is called the fit factor. A fit factor of a 3D printed frame of at least 100 is required and considered as a pass level.

Results

We found that the mask fitter improves the overall performance of surgical masks significantly. The improved performance is comparable to that of N95.

Conclusion

The mask fitter improves the performance of surgical masks. The authors suggested that further study on frame material, shape, and expanded sample size would be beneficial to society.

COVID-19 Pandemic Impact on Dental Practice

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a huge impact on the dentistry industry from the initial lockdown in March 2020 to the present day, nearly one year later with dentists unable to practice during the initial lockdown, that is when revenue took the biggest hit. The study aims to examine the impact of COVID-19 on dental practices during the pandemic in Bulgaria. Material and methods: A specially developed questionnaire was distributed electronically among 138 dentists from all regions of Bulgaria. The collected primary statistical information was entered and processed with the statistical package SPSS Statistics 19.0 Results: Statistical analyzes of the questionnaire show that (62,32%±4,12) of dentists say COVID-19 made no impact on their decision to retire or continue practicing; 43% of respondents predict revenue or costs will be the biggest challenge facing their practice in 2021. Part of dentists (34.78 % ± 4,05) believe that COVID-19 allowed them to learn more about infection control. Most of the respondents (87.68% ± 2.79) agree their income was lower in April to September of 2020 compared to 2019. More than half of dentists (61.59 % ± 4.14) believe Covid 19 has not impacted the products or services they offer. The majority of the participants (84.78 % ± 3.05) did not perform non-emergency procedures during the pandemic. Conclusion: Despite the numerous disadvantages caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, our survey shows dentists have found ways to adapt and succeed. Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a huge impact on the dentistry industry from the initial lockdown in March 2020 to the present day, nearly one year later with dentists unable to practice during the initial lockdown, that is when revenue took the biggest hit. The study aims to examine the impact of COVID-19 on dental practices during the pandemic in Bulgaria. Material and methods: A specially developed questionnaire was distributed electronically among 138 dentists from all regions of Bulgaria. The collected primary statistical information was entered and processed with the statistical package SPSS Statistics 19.0 Results: Statistical analyzes of the questionnaire show that (62,32%±4,12) of dentists say COVID-19 made no impact on their decision to retire or continue practicing; 43% of respondents predict revenue or costs will be the biggest challenge facing their practice in 2021. Part of dentists (34.78 % ± 4,05) believe that COVID-19 allowed them to learn more about infection control. Most of the respondents (87.68% ± 2.79) agree their income was lower in April to September of 2020 compared to 2019. More than half of dentists (61.59 % ± 4.14) believe Covid 19 has not impacted the products or services they offer. The majority of the participants (84.78 % ± 3.05) did not perform non-emergency procedures during the pandemic. Conclusion: Despite the numerous disadvantages caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, our survey shows dentists have found ways to adapt and succeed.

Oral Habits during the Lockdown from the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic in the Romanian Population

Background and Objectives: The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic led to changes in population daily patterns. In order to adapt oral health promotion measures for future similar conditions, the main objective of the study was to assess changes in dental hygiene and eating and smoking habits during the government lockdown in Romania. Materials and Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted immediately after the end of the lockdown and consisted of 800 adult subjects. Data collection was done via an online survey. Participants were divided into two groups: non-medical/dental practitioners (N-M/D group) and medical/dental practitioners (M/D group). Results: An increased use of dental floss from 27% (pre-lockdown) to 30.5% (during lockdown) was identified in the M/D group, while the manual toothbrush usage increased to 64.8% (during lockdown) from 61.7% (pre-lockdown) in the N-MD/group. No significant differences regarding toothbrushing frequency were observed in either group. A change in the number of daily snacks was identified in both groups (3–4 snacks per day: from 11% to 20.2% in the N-M/D group, from 13.1% to 22.2% in the M/D group). The consumption of sweets as a preferred snack was also noticed. A decrease of tobacco consumers was assessed in the lockdown period (from 66.6% to 60.4% in the M/D group, from 68.5% to 61.9% in the N-/M/D group). Conclusions: Oral habits were changed during the pandemic lockdown through the increase in the frequency of the consumption of snacks and sweets and the decrease in frequency of smokers. Only minor changes were observed in oral hygiene.