The spread of SARS-CoV-2 infection has increased the risk of mental health problems, including post-traumatic stress disorders (PTSD), and healthcare workers (HCWs) are at greater risk than other occupational groups. This observational cross-sectional study aimed to explore the symptoms of depression, anxiety, and PTSD among dental HCWs in Russia during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The survey was carried out among 128 dental HCWs from three dental clinics of Ekaterinburg, Russia. The mean age of the sample was 38.6 years. Depression, anxiety, and stress were assessed using the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21); PTSD was assessed using the PTSD Symptom Scale-Self-Report (PSS-SR); subjective distress was assessed using the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R). The results indicated that 20.3–24.2% HCWs had mild to extremely severe symptoms of psychological distress, and 7.1–29.7% had clinical symptoms of PTSD. No differences between females and males were revealed. HCWs working directly with patients had significantly higher levels of PTSD symptoms and the risk of PTSD development compared to those working indirectly, whereas older HCWs had significantly higher levels of both psychological distress and PTSD symptoms compared to younger HCWs. Thus, dental HCWs are at high risk for psychological distress and PTSD symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Recently, buccal epithelium has been used to study age-dependent processes. This approach is of particular relevance due to its non-invasiveness. The purpose of this study is to establish the normal values of the buccal cytogram in different age groups, including athletes. 200 practically healthy volunteers of different ages were examined, who were divided into 5 groups in accordance with the WHO age classification. In addition, 125 professional athletes took part in the study. All patients underwent a comprehensive dental examination and a standard cytological examination of buccal smears. It has been established that the cytological characteristics of buccal epitheliocytes, indirectly reflecting disorders of the nuclear apparatus of the cell, did not change significantly with age, but there was a certain upward trend in the number of cells with such anomalies (micronucleus, protrusions).The number of binuclear cells and the apoptotic index also slightly increase with age. At the same time, a high positive correlation was found between the apoptosis index and senile age. In young athletes, an increase in the number of buccal epitheliocytes with a perinuclear vacuole (an early sign of cell damage) was foundAnalysis of the cytological examination results of the buccal epithelium in people a slight increase in the level of cytological abnormalities in old age, in particular, signs of apoptosis. In addition, in healthy young athletes (18 years old - 44 years old), an increase in the number of cells with signs of nuclear degradation, which most likely reflects increased mechanical stress on the maxillofacial apparatus during sports activities.

It is possible to increase the effectiveness of preventive dental measures by a differentiated approach to the use of toothpastes [3]. The most intensive incorporation of calcium and fluorides into the composition of the hard tissues of teeth occurs during their formation and mineralization [4, 5]. At the end of the growth and mineralization of the teeth, the enamel and dentin of the teeth become less permeable to fluoride, but the need for them does not disappear. Also, a number of authors note that the need for ions with different caries activity may differ. The purpose of our study was to study the effectiveness of the use of toothpastes in 6–7, 12, 15-year-old schoolchildren with various caries activity. We examined 532 children, attending organized children's groups in Yekaterinburg. By a randomization procedure based on the method of random numbers, children were divided into groups according to the type of paste used: calcium-containing, fluorine-containing, combined use of calcium and fluorine-containing pastes, paste based on organosilicon glycerohydrogel. The toothpastes effectiveness was assessed by the change in enamel resistance by functional methods: electrometry and Enamel Resistance Test. The annual increase in caries was taken into account. It was found that calcium-containing toothpastes are most effective in the first month of use, then the effect of their use weakens. Fluoride toothpastes lead to a persistent but slow increase in enamel resistance. The combined use of calcium and fluoride toothpastes gives a quick and lasting effect. A paste based on organosilicon glycerohydrogel gives a persistent decrease in enamel electrometry, with the best results in the group of schoolchildren with high caries activity.

Subject. The health status of children and adolescents is one of the most acute medical and social problems. It is known, that with dental diseases, changes occur not only in the immunological profile of the oral fluid, but also in morphology of the oral tissues. New approaches to the traditional cytological study of buccal epithelium such as analysis of the cytogram with the isolation of various types of cells, as well as the detection of cytological abnormalities of cells, allows us to evaluate the reactivity of the oral mucosa in pathological processes. According to WHO recommendations (2013), groups of children 5-6, 12, 15 years of age are the global indicator age groups for monitoring disease trends and comparisons on an international scale. The objective of the study is to assess the health status of children age 5-6, 12, 15 with non-invasive methods. It is based on the results of a clinical and laboratory examination of 179 children, attending organized children's groups. Children underwent a comprehensive dental examination, which included a questionnaire according to the WHO method, an external examination of the maxillofacial region, an examination of the oral cavity, identification of pathology of hard tooth tissues. Methodology. We studied the change in the dental status of patients, indicators of oral fluid and basal epithelium with age, in order to prognostically use non-invasive assessment methods in a comprehensive health examination, planning and evaluating the effectiveness of prevention programs. Results. It was noted that the dental health status of children 5-6, 12, 15 years old can be assessed as satisfactory, while dental, laboratory and cytological health indicators worsen with age. Non-invasive methods for assessing the dental status of patients can be used in a comprehensive examination of children's health, planning and evaluating the effectiveness of prevention programs.

Subject. Epidemiological surveys are important for assessing the compliance of dental programs with the treatment needs of various population groups. Objectives ― we set a goal to compare the dynamics of indicators of epidemiological surveys of dental diseases in the city of Ekaterinburg over the past 15 years. Methods. After analyzing reports and publications on the WHO methodology, a high prevalence and intensity of caries and signs of periodontal damage was noted, they deteriorate with age. The reduction in the incidence of dental diseases that began in 2008 did not persist in 2015. The change in the social and demographic structure of the children's population of Yekaterinburg is accompanied by an increase in rates of dental diseases. Estimating the proportion of people with signs of periodontal diseases in children 12 and 15 years compared with the results of a previously conducted national epidemiological study in 2008, we do not see a decrease in the prevalence rate of periodontal diseases. An assessment of the need for emergency dental care in children of Yekaterinburg of 6, 12 and 15 years according to the WHO criteria showed a high level of need for “preventive or conventional treatment” in all groups of children examined. Conclusions. The high prevalence of dental diseases in the city of Ekaterinburg indicates the need to find preventive measures. The increase in the intensity of caries is especially active in children of school age, which requires development of a comprehensive program of school prevention. The absence of a reduction in the prevalence rate of periodontal lesions in adolescents in all 3 national surveys suggests the need to find new approaches in prevention, including use of Smart Technologies.