The aim of this scoping review was to present the existing literature regarding the relationship between periodontal diseases and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) extension for scoping review guidelines was followed. Articles were retrieved from PubMed/MEDLINE and Scopus databases and screened to include studies relating severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) or COVID-19 to periodontal cells and/or tissues and/or diseases. Twenty-five papers were included; consisting of six reviews, seven original articles, six short reports, four letters to the editor, one commentary, and one case report. The articles were allocated to three different topics: (i) hypotheses on the relationship between periodontal diseases and COVID-19; (ii) risk factors and comorbidities common to periodontitis and COVID-19; (iii) periodontal manifestations of COVID-19. Certain molecules (angiotensin-converting enzyme-2, furin, cathepsin, TMPRSS2...) that are found at a high level in periodontal tissues, particularly in patients with periodontitis, are involved in the mechanism of entry of SARS-CoV-2 into cells. Periodontopathic bacteria could also play a direct role in the mechanism of entry of SARS-CoV-2 by cleaving the S-protein, and the cytokines produced during periodontitis could add to the cytokine storm found in the severe forms of COVID-19. It thus appears that the treatment of periodontitis, which allows a reduction in periodontopathic bacteria and of the local and systemic inflammation state, could be part of a strategy to prevent the development of severe forms of COVID-19.

Objective The aim of this study was to provide a reliable instrument to assess evidence‐based practice (EBP) dimensions in French‐speaking dental students. To do so, a transcultural adaptation into French of the self‐administered KACE questionnaire (Knowledge, Attitude, Access and Confidence Evaluation) and the evaluation of its psychometric properties in a sample of French dental students and teachers were performed. The effects of individual and academic factors on student performance in the KACE were also investigated. Method Teachers and fourth‐year students completed once the translated KACE and fifth‐year students completed twice the questionnaire before and after an epidemiology course. Cronbach's alpha coefficient analysis, Kruskal‐Wallis and post hoc Dunn's tests, paired samples Wilcoxon tests and a generalised linear mixed model were performed to assess the psychometric properties (reliability, internal consistency, discriminant validity and responsiveness) of the questionnaire and to identify the factors associated with KACE scores, respectively. Results 186 participants completed the survey. Cronbach's alpha ranged from 0.06 to 0.48 for Knowledge, 0.21 to 0.59 for Attitude, 0.42 to 0.76 for Access and 0.82 to 0.93 for Confidence. The discriminant value and sensitivity of the French KACE revealed significant differences amongst students and teachers and accurately identified the effect the training course had on the students who had completed it. Preparing for a residency programme or having received add‐on modules in science improved the students' performance in the test. Being female negatively impacted the KACE Confidence score. Conclusion This version of the KACE is appropriate to assess EBP dimensions in French dental students. Academic background and gender may affect test performance.