Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has caused many changes in the practice of orthodontics, with the main focus being prevention of cross-infection. Clinical audits can help assess the extent to which practices/practitioners adhere to standard cross-infection control protocols, thereby providing scope for improvement resulting in better treatment outcomes. Objective: Phase 1—to investigate the type of cross-infection control procedures being followed by orthodontic residents of 5 dental institutes in Hyderabad city and compare them to recommended guidelines. Phase 2—after identification of the shortcomings, analyzing how re-education and revision of guidelines can lead to improvements in cross-infection prevention protocols. Methodology: Orthodontic residents of 5 dental institutes were observed with regard to their routine infection control practices, which were compared to a set standard. A second audit cycle was conducted on the same clinicians after a seminar where they were encouraged to work on shortcomings at their workplace. The results from the 2 audit cycles were then compared to assess differences. Results and Conclusion: While most clinicians were aware of the recommended cross-infection control guidelines, few steps were neglected while in practice. Comparisons between the 2 audit cycles revealed definite improvements.

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Introduction: Orthodontic treatment modalities depend on individual patient's growth pattern and mandibular position. The airway is an important determinant of treatment. Therefore, a clear correlation between different growth patterns, mandibular positions, and airway would lead to better diagnosis and more specific planning. Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate mandibular position and its' relationship to pharyngeal airway dimensions in patients with different growth patterns using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Material and methods: CBCT scans of patients were assigned to vertical, average, and horizontal growth pattern types, based on angular (S-N/Go-Me) and linear (S-Go/N-Me) measurements. Data of included patients was used for 3-dimensional reconstruction of the pharyngeal airway to assess parameters, such as total airway volume, airway length, mandibular position, and correlation with different growth patterns. For statistical analysis, one-way ANOVA, post-hoc Tukey test (for pairwise comparisons), and Spearman's correlation with a significance level of 0.05 were applied. Results: The mandibular distance from the airway was significantly higher in the horizontal growth pattern group (p = 0.035). Airway volume was lower in the vertical growth pattern group as compared with the horizontal growth pattern group (p = 0.043). A negative correlation was observed between mandibular position and airway length (p = 0.021, r = -0.338). Conclusions: Subjects with horizontal growth patterns tend to have shorter and wider airways with their mandibles farther away, as compared to those with vertical growth patterns. To avoid the risk of compromising narrow airway dimensions, clinicians must take into account these findings while planning orthodontic and surgical treatment.