Background: A relationship between periodontitis and COVID-19 may exist, as highlighted by several hypothetical models. However, the evidence is limited. Hence, the present study was conducted to determine whether an association exists between periodontitis and COVID-19. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out with patients diagnosed with COVID-19 who were divided into three groups—mild, moderate, and severe COVID-19—based on the COVID-19 severity score of high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) chest scans. Periodontal parameters—including the plaque index (PI), ratio of sites with gingival bleeding (BOP), pocket depth (PD), gingival recession (REC), clinical attachment loss (CAL), and mean numbers of mobile and missing teeth due to periodontitis—were recorded for all three groups. Statistical analyses were applied to the data. Results: Of 294 patients with COVID-19, approximately 50.68% (n = 149) had periodontitis, and the highest percentage (87.5%) was reported in the severe COVID-19 group. Additionally, severe and advanced stages of periodontitis (stage III–IV) were found to be significantly more frequent in subjects with severe COVID-19 than in the other two groups. The HRCT severity score (CT-SS) was moderately correlated with increased levels of periodontal parameters. Conclusions: Results of logistic regression analyses showed that the probability of developing severe COVID-19 was 2.81 times higher in patients with periodontitis. An association exists between periodontitis and severe COVID-19.

No abstract

ObjectivesSystemic immune‐inflammation index (SII) is a novel, inflammatory biomarker whose role in predicting several chronic systemic diseases has been recently identified. However, its association with generalized stage III grade C periodontitis in young adults remains unknown.Material and MethodsThe study is a multicentered, double‐blind, hospital‐based case–control clinical study. Periodontal examination comprised of recording plaque index, sites with bleeding on probing, pocket depth and clinical attachment loss for patients with generalized stage III grade C periodontitis and periodontally healthy group. Complete blood counts were obtained and used for calculating SII, neutrophil‐lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet‐lymphocyte ratio. Collected data were then subjected to statistical analyses.ResultsSII was significantly higher in patients with generalized stage III grade C periodontitis compared to periodontally healthy individuals (723.87 vs. 537.74 × 109/L, p < 0.0001). SII is associated with severe periodontitis in young adults (odds ratio [OR]:11.86, 95% CI 9.61–20.76, p < 0.0001) after adjusting for factors found significant in univariate analysis. Receiver operative curve analysis demonstrated a fair predictive validity of SII in detecting generalized stage III grade C periodontitis in young adults (AUC: 0.766, 95%CI 0.731–0.799, p < 0.0001, sensitivity 81.27%, specificity 76.50% and diagnostic accuracy 78.89%). SII did not exhibit superior predictive validity when compared with NLR in the context of generalized stage III grade C periodontitis (AUC for SII: 0.766, 95%CI 0.731–0.799, AUC for NLR: 0.788, 95% CI 0.754–0.819; p = 0.28).ConclusionSII is associated with generalized stage III grade C periodontitis in young adults.

Background: Research of late has brought to light a connect between Vitamin D and anemia. The level of 25hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH) D) is decreased in periodontitis subjects as against subjects without periodontitis and this reduced level could be related to more risk for anemia in periodontitis patients. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the serum 25(OH) D levels and red blood cell indices in patients affected by generalized Stage III Grade B periodontitis and healthy controls and to assess the association between level of Vitamin D and red cell indices in periodontitis patients. Materials and Methods: The subjects were categorized into (i) case and (ii) control group of 30 each. Clinical parameters including oral hygiene index simplified, mean ratio of sites that bled on probing, gingival index, probing pocket depth, and the clinical attachment loss were assessed in both the groups. Subjects' blood samples (venous) were taken for the biochemical analysis. Results: In contradiction to healthy subjects, periodontitis subjects had significantly diminished 25(OH) D levels, hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit, and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC). 25(OH) D was moderately correlated with MCHC ( r = 0.53) and it was statistically significant ( P = 0.002). Conclusion: Periodontitis impacts Vitamin D status which further causes anemia. It suggests that effective management of periodontitis can help maintain sufficient Vitamin D status and may be vital in preventing anemia.

Background: The concept on minimally invasive surgical technique (MIST) is rapidly evolving in the field of medicine and Dentistry. MIST in periodontics is beneficial in enhancing clinical performance and in terms of patient-related factors also. Aims: The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge and practice behaviors about MIST in periodontics among dental students, dental practitioners, and academicians. Materials and Methods: An online questionnaire was prepared as Google Form and was distributed to respondents to assess their knowledge and practice behaviors about MIST. Statistical Analysis Used: A descriptive analysis comprising counts and the percentage was performed for all the variables. Categorical variables were compared among the different groups using the Chi-square test. Results: The study revealed that most of the respondents had adequate knowledge of MIST but only 46% of them had performed MIST procedures in daily clinical practice. Conclusions: There is sufficient knowledge about MIST and its implications in periodontics among dental students and professionals. However, there is a need to emphasize the clinical applications and more training to enhance skills and practice about MIST.