The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) rapidly escalated into a worldwide pandemic, creating a global health and economic crisis. It is a novel virus which is distinct from SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV, with Chinese horseshoe bats being the most probable origin. Transmission occurs primarily through droplet spread or contact routes. Due to the characteristics of dental settings, the risk of cross infection between dental health care personnel (DHCP) and patients can be very high. This article provides a brief overview of the structure of the virus, modes of transmission, and clinical features of COVID-19 disease. The aim of this article is to recommend infection control strategies and patient management protocols to provide optimum dental care and simultaneously prevent nosocomial infection in dental settings.

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In the present study Co3O4 and Sr‐Co3O4 nanoparticles were prepared by sol‐gel and co‐precipitation methods and tested as photo‐catalysts for the degradation of methylene blue (MB, model molecule of the thiazine dyes class) and malachite green (MG, model molecule of the triphenylmethane category)under solar light irradiation. To study the photocatalytic activity, Co3O4 was doped by three different weight percentages of strontium (5%, 10%, and 15%). Among these, 10 wt% Sr‐Co3O4, named as (10)Sr‐Co3O4, showed maximum photodegradation efficiency toward both MB and MG. Their structural and morphological characteristics, chemical composition, surface area, and optical properties were investigated by FT‐IR spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction (XRD), Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy – Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (FE‐SEM‐EDX), UV–Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) and photoluminescence (PL) analysis. The XRD investigations of Co3O4 and (10)Sr‐Co3O4 catalysts indicated retention of structure. The effect of initial pH, initial concentration of the dyes and photocatalysts dose was properly investigated. The results demonstrated the enhanced photocatalytic activity of (10)Sr‐Co3O4 compared to that of pristine Co3O4 due to Sr doping that improves electron‐hole (e–/h+) pairs separation mediated by charge migration on the Sr‐Co3O4 structure. The as‐prepared photocatalyst exhibited a remarkable photocatalytic efficiency towards both the dyes. (10)Sr‐Co3O4 and Co3O4 degraded 96% and 88% of MB at pH = 11, and 92% and 85% of MG at pH = 9, respectively in 90 min. Moreover, it was demonstrated that the photodegradation of MB and MG by Sr‐Co3O4 and Co3O4 followed a pseudo‐first‐order kinetics. Both the photocatalysts showed good stability during recycling maintaining high performances after five cycles. Finally, the active species were identified using various scavengers by trapping holes and radicals generated during the photocatalytic degradation process.

Objective:The study was done to determine the prevalence of malocclusion and orthodontic treatment among orphan children. Materials and methods:The sample consisted of 165 orphan children aged between 12 and 15 years. A clinical examination was used to determine the orthodontic treatment need according to the Dental Aesthetic Index (DAI). The statistical software namely SPSS version 15.0 was used for the analysis different parameters as gender and age. Results:The prevalence of definite, severe and very severe malocclusion was more among males than females and it increased with age. 16.4% subjects needed orthodontic treatment ranging from slight to mandatory form. Clinical significance:The prevalence and severity of malocclusion was more among orphan children as they are deprived of healthy lifestyle. So, they should be identified and corrective measures instituted at the earliest to prevent a widespread impact on their psychological development.

This assessment of nutritional services in India provided useful information to plan development of national guidelines, policy, and delivery of services.