Among the pillars of sustainability in health care units is environmental protection. Although an EU-wide dental amalgam phase-out legislation exists, quantities of this material are still to be found in the market, dental offices or in the mouths of patients. The purpose of this study is to record the views of dentists and dental students in Greece regarding the use and safety of dental amalgam for people and the environment as well as their attitudes towards its restriction and disposal. Materials and methods: Two different questionnaires, through Google forms, were filled by each group. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the variables. The chi-square test or the chi-square test with Yates correction was used to examine potential differences per group (p-value = 0.05). Overall, 564 people participated in this study; 462 (81.9%) dentists (N1) and 102 (18.1%) dental students (N2). Results: Both groups agreed that they no longer use dental amalgam often. Dentists (39.8%) and students (36.4%) consider amalgam to have a moderate burden on the environment. This answer differed significantly per year of profession and year of undergraduate studies, respectively, with dentists from 6–25 years in the profession and 4th-year students, being the least aware on the environmental footprint of dental amalgam. Further, professionals (70%) and students (60%) believe that dental amalgam has a hazardous impact on patient’s health, at all or to a small extent. For staff health, dentists reported at a moderate degree dangerous impact (32.9%) while students (36.4%), respectively. The impact on patients and staff health, were found to differ significantly per region of practicing dentistry for both groups. Finally, there were suggestions made from both groups about the necessity of information sharing on amalgam and mercury safety and the impact on the environment at the level of professional organizations. Conclusions: Students, younger dentists and those living in non-urban regions seem to be more sensitive to the environmental impact of amalgam use, disposal, and health of people. Environmental issues should be addressed thoroughly by professional organizations, enhancing relevant activities for all people involved.

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Background: Dental caries is one of the most prevalent human diseases worldwide. The modern concept of minimal invasive dentistry includes early detection of incipient caries lesions and its treatment. Several optical and digital detection methods are available. Objective: This literature review presents the utility and limitations of laser fl uorescence caries detection devices DIAGNOdent (DD) and DIAGNOdent Pen (DDpen) (KaVo Dental GmbH, Biberach/ Riβ, Germany) for carious lesions on the occlusal surfaces of the permanent dentition. Data sources: All available in vitro and in vivo studies from Google Scholar, PubMed and Scopus machines corresponding to caries, DIAGNOdent, DIAGNOdent Pen and laser fl uorescence as key words, were reviewed. Data extraction: Certain limitations of the studies were the inadequate analysis of the experimental protocols, the widespread sample use of the third molar, mistakes in sample handling and the limited number of studies evaluating the detection capability of DD and DDPen for secondary caries. Data synthesis: DD and DDPen are useful devices for caries detection on the occlusal tooth surfaces. Their main advantages are the very high reproducibility of measurements (>0.90), the ease of handling and the quantifi cation and monitoring capacity. Their main limitations are the relatively low specifi city for enamel lesions, the necessity of unstained surfaces and absence of plaque and pastes during measurements and the absence of a universal, clinically functional calibration value (COV). Conclusion: Further studies are required for more reliable data analysis and clinical interpretation of the relevant results. Keywords: caries, DIAGNOdent, DIAGNOdent Pen, laser fl uorescence, laser.

Background: Dental caries is one of the most prevalent human diseases worldwide. The modern concept of minimal invasive dentistry includes early detection of incipient caries lesions and its treatment. Several optical and digital detection methods are available. Objective: This literature review presents the utility and limitations of laser fl uorescence caries detection devices DIAGNOdent (DD) and DIAGNOdent Pen (DDpen) (KaVo Dental GmbH, Biberach/ Riβ, Germany) for carious lesions on the occlusal surfaces of the permanent dentition. Data sources: All available in vitro and in vivo studies from Google Scholar, PubMed and Scopus machines corresponding to caries, DIAGNOdent, DIAGNOdent Pen and laser fl uorescence as key words, were reviewed. Data extraction: Certain limitations of the studies were the inadequate analysis of the experimental protocols, the widespread sample use of the third molar, mistakes in sample handling and the limited number of studies evaluating the detection capability of DD and DDPen for secondary caries. Data synthesis: DD and DDPen are useful devices for caries detection on the occlusal tooth surfaces. Their main advantages are the very high reproducibility of measurements (>0.90), the ease of handling and the quantifi cation and monitoring capacity. Their main limitations are the relatively low specifi city for enamel lesions, the necessity of unstained surfaces and absence of plaque and pastes during measurements and the absence of a universal, clinically functional calibration value (COV). Conclusion: Further studies are required for more reliable data analysis and clinical interpretation of the relevant results. Keywords: caries, DIAGNOdent, DIAGNOdent Pen, laser fl uorescence, laser.

The present article provides the clinician with a fundamental principle for achieving success with direct application of resinous materials in cases of discolored posterior teeth, mainly due to amalgam corrosion of a previous restoration. The procedure, advantages, and limitations of the technique are discussed. Summary: A first upper right molar previously filled with amalgam was prepared for a direct composite resin restoration, due to secondary caries. The discolored dentin on the pulpal floor was treated with a white opaquer and a resinous corn color tint also applied with a round painter's brush. Dentin and enamel shade stratification was performed according to the layering technique following the anatomical morphology of the tooth. Finishing was performed with extra-fine diamond burs and aluminum oxide disks. Then a silicon-rubber polishing cups system was used with a 5 μm diamond polishing paste in order to achieve high surface gloss. Key learning points: The preparation of dentin should be kept in minimum in order to follow the principle of minimally invasive dentistry. The application of an opaquer over the discolored dentin should be made in a very thin layer of 0.1 mm. The resinous color modifiers should be applied and layered homogeneously.