Medical information

  TAKE-HOME MESSAGE This web-based survey of 4776 registered dental hygienists from across the US, including Puerto Rico, was designed using 30 questions to estimate the prevalence of COVID-19, describe infection control and prevention procedures, and identify associated mental health trends among dental hygienists in clinical practice. Elevated symptoms of depression and anxiety were reported by respondents, while 3.1% (n = 1) had ever been diagnosed or tested positive for COVID-19, and a majority (99.1%; n = 3328) in practice reported enhanced infection control/prevention efforts in their primary practice. PPE use was not significantly associated with the type of dental practice (P = .1) but was significantly associated with level of PPE supply availability (P < .01), level of concern about COVID-19, and hygienists’ years of experience. The authors concluded that, while the estimated prevalence rate of COVID-19 infection among practicing hygienists is low, there remains a need for

  TAKE-HOME MESSAGE This retrospective study aimed to compare post-extraction bleeding incidence in medically compromised elderly (≥65 years) individuals. A total of 232 patients undergoing anticoagulant therapy and who underwent single or multiple extractions were included, with extraction sites being managed by local hemostatic measures (pressure, Surgicel, and suturing) immediately postop. Incidence of postoperative bleeding (1–7 days) was highest in patients taking rivaroxaban (32.4%), followed by apixaban (18.2%), warfarin (17.3%), and edoxaban (5.7%), while patients taking dabigatran did not present with postoperative bleeding, with the difference between rivaroxaban versus apixaban and edoxaban being statistically significant. Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs; eg, rivaroxaban, apixaban, edoxaban, dabigatran) are gaining popularity over vitamin K antagonists (eg, warfarin) for anticoagulant therapy due to convenient dosing, fewer interactions with food, shorter half-life, and no

  TAKE-HOME MESSAGE In this retrospective cross-sectional study evaluating sequelae of oro–antral communications / fistulae (OAC/OAF) due to implant dentistry etiology (IDE) compared with other etiologies, multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that IDE patients were more likely: to have a foreign body (OR, 21.04; P < .01); to have liquid passage through the OAF (OR, 11.40; P = .02); more purulent discharge through the fistula (OR, 3.52; P = .05); and be older (OR, 1.07; P = .02). Individuals in the IDE group were far more likely to develop pansinusitis and significantly more likely to complain of facial pain prior to the surgical intervention than individuals in the other etiologies group. The presence of a foreign body in the maxillary sinus leads to a foreign body reaction, infection, and impedance of drainage. The authors concluded that clinical and radiological sequelae of OAC/OAF due to implant dentistry procedures are more severe compared with those due to oth

  TAKE-HOME MESSAGE Erosive tooth wear (ETW) is a chemical loss of mineralized tooth substance caused by the exposure to acids mainly from foods or from the GI system. The prevalence and severity of ETW among children and adolescents is increasing with limited measures to improve awareness among patients and oral healthcare providers. This study interviewed 866 dentists from Finland regarding the approach to evaluate and treat ETW based on a clinical case shared by email. A great majority of the respondents (98.0%) recorded ETW in the patient pictures, but only 4.1% used a detailed scoring system. Of the respondents, 64.4% usually found the cause of ETW. The consumption of carbonated beverages (84.3%) and energy drinks (57.0%) and reflux disease (53.1%) were reported to be probable causes. The majority of the respondents (80.9%) usually assessed patients' dietary history while 1.9% evaluated the saliva secretion rate.  Finnish dentists successfully detected and/or diagnosed ETW wea