No abstract

Diabetes mellitus is a systemic disease characterized by increased blood glucose levels and abnormalities of lipid metabolism due to absence or decreased level of insulin. It affects all the body organs and their functions either directly or indirectly. Every dentist should have a basic understanding of the etiopathogenesis, oral and systemic manifestations of this disease. The periodontal diseases are a consequence of extension of the gingival inflammation into the underlying supporting structures of the periodontium, initiated by the presence of plaque and its products on the surfaces of the teeth and the adjoining structures. The progression of periodontal disease is influenced by variety of factors like microorganisms, host response, systemic background, and genetic makeup of the host. Amongst them, diabetes mellitus tops the list. Diabetes and periodontitis influence the clinical outcome of each other and control of both influences the clinical improvement of each.

Faciomaxillary and oral surgical procedures are frequently done under local anesthesia. Only few techniques are used widely in these areas in spite of the numerous blocks available. Knowledge about these techniques could encourage use of these techniques for the benefit of patients and operators’ comfort. Leaving aside the commonly used intraoral anesthetic technique by faciomaxillary and dental surgeons, focus is given on regional blocks of extraoral route, like maxillary block, mandibular block, superficial cervical plexus block, forehead and scalp block, trigeminal nerve block, sphenopalatine nerve block, and they are discussed with their indications and technical details involved in administering them. Advantages of using the regional blocks over general anesthesia and multiple pricks include reduced dosage and number of needle pricks. Pediatric considerations like prolonged duration of anesthesia and wider area of action for regional blocks warrant that they should be used with caution.

The use of ultrasonic vibrations for the cutting of bone was first introduced two decades ago. Piezoelectric surgery is a minimally invasive technique that lessens the risk of damage to surrounding soft tissues and important structures such as nerves, vessels, and mucosa. It also reduces damage to osteocytes and permits good survival of bony cells during harvesting of bone. Grafting with intraoral bone blocks is a good way to reconstruct severe horizontal and vertical bone resorption in future implants sites. The piezosurgery system creates an effective osteotomy with minimal or no trauma to soft tissue in contrast to conventional surgical burs or saws and minimizes a patient's psychological stress and fear during osteotomy under local anesthesia. The purpose of this article is to describe the harvesting of intraoral bone blocks using the piezoelectric surgery device.

The incorporation of digital technologies is recognized as one of the inevitable factors to achieve better health care services. Recently, Indian Ministry of AYUSH (MoA) embraced digitalization extensively for development, education and research in AYUSH. In this context, we describe India's digital initiatives for AYUSH systems of medicine for information, research, and academia at various levels. We reviewed the websites and documents available from the MoA and its research councils/institutes along with the plan documents. We described the identified digital initiatives under categories of (1) Health information system (2) Research database/library (3) Academic (4) Information Education and Communication (IEC). We specified the purpose and target group of the identified digital initiatives. We identified 19 key digital initiatives. The AYUSH hospital management information system (A-HMIS), National AYUSH Morbidity and Standardized Terminologies Electronic Portal (NAMASTE), AYUSH Suraksha, e-Aushadhi, e-Charak, Triskandha Kosha, SiddAR APP were categorized under health information system. The Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL), AYUSH research portal, DHARA, e-CHLAS, Research Management Information system (RMIS), e-Granthasamuccaya and AYUSH Sanjivani App were categorized under research database/library. The Ayurveda e-learning and Ayurvedic Inheritance of India were categorized as the academic initiatives. The Siddha–NIS App, Yoga locator, and Naturopathy-NIN App were categorized as Information, education and communication (IEC) initiatives. The digital initiatives from the MoA were a key to reform the traditional systems of medicines and could improve the education, quality of research and accessibility of the AYUSH healthcare services.