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It is over a year since the first case of coronavirus disease (CO-VID-19), caused by infection from severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), was confirmed in China in November 2019 [1]. This scoping review systematically maps COVID-19 related studies, as well as identifying gaps in the existing knowledge. This paper summarizes the characteristics of COVID-19, as understood of December 2020, from a dental perspective, to indicate and help guide dental practice. Literature search DatabasesThe PubMed and Scopus databases were searched for evidence-based clinical practice recommendations and guidelines. We searched using the following keywords: "dentist" OR "oral care" AND "COVID-19" OR "SARS-CoV-2." All retrieved articles related to dental practice during the COVID-19 pandemic, were published between January 1, 2020 and December 24, 2020, and satisfied our selection criteria. Articles were reviewed independently by two researchers who were well versed in dental practice, infection control, and medical research.This study protocol was registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews database under the number CRD42021227893. The reporting of this scoping review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Inclusion and exclusion criteriaArticles fulfilling the following criteria were included in the review: (1) studies performed on human subjects; (2) studies with a research protocol; (3) studies investigating the management of clinical practice; (4) studies that included surveys with epidemiological data, protective measures, and knowledge about the practice of dentistry during the COVID-19 pandemic; (5) studies published in peerreviewed journals; (6) studies published in the English language; (7) studies published in 2019 or 2020. The exclusion criteria were as follows: (1) articles that were not related to COVID-19; (2) publications without a research protocol; (3) opinion-based articles with no sup-J Prosthodont Res. 2021; **(**):

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This study aimed to evaluate the association between the Mallampati score and other anatomical indicators, including maximal mouth opening and body mass index (BMI). We also evaluated the association between the Mallampati score and the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) to confirm the scores' validity in predicting obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Methods: We recruited patients with confirmed OSA who visited JR Tokyo General Hospital for oral appliance therapy between January 2016 and June 2019. The coefficients of determination were calculated by ordinary least square regression to evaluate the association between (a) the Mallampati score and maximal mouth opening, (b) AHI and BMI, and (c) the Mallampati score and AHI. Results:We included 82 patients with an average (standard deviation) Mallampati score of 2.2 (0.9) and mouth opening capacity of 48.7 (6.5) mm. The Mallampati score was inversely associated with maximal mouth opening (R 2 = 0.189, P < .01). A higher BMI was associated with a higher AHI (R 2 = 0.115, P < .01). No significant association was found between the Mallampati score and the AHI (R 2 = 0.01, P = .33). Conclusion:Although we were not able to confirm the association between the Mallampati score and the AHI that was reported previously, the Mallampati score was found to be inversely associated with the extent of mouth opening. K E Y W O R D S apnea-hypopnea index, body mass index, Mallampati score, maximal mouth opening, sleep apnea syndrome How to cite this article: Yonenaga K, Taga H, Eno Y, et al. Association between the Mallampati score and maximal mouth opening in patients with obstructive sleep apnea. Oral

AimSome patients with severe dysphagia can eat in a complete lateral position. On this basis, we assessed whether the laryngeal penetration that can occur during videoendoscopic examination of swallowing could be reduced when patients were evaluated in this position.MethodsPatients who underwent videoendoscopic examination of swallowing during hospitalization at Towada City Hospital were at high risk of aspiration in the sitting position and were introduced to the complete lateral position method were included in the study. The penetration–aspiration scale score was evaluated and compared for patients in the sitting and complete lateral positions.ResultsA total of 19 patients (14 men and 5 women, mean age 84.9 ± 5.6 y, mean body mass index 17.9 ± 3.7) were included in the study. The penetration–aspiration scale score was as follows: the sitting position: 4 points, n = 1; 5 points, n = 1; 6 points, n = 11; 7 points, n = 3; 8 points, n = 3; the complete lateral position: 1 point, n = 15; 2 points, n = 2; 3 points, n = 1; 6 points, n = 1. The laryngeal penetration score improved significantly from the sitting position to the complete lateral position (p < 0.001) and 15 patients (78.9%) were able to eat at discharge.ConclusionThe complete lateral position improves laryngeal penetration and may allow patients with dysphagia to continue to eat.