Background The Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in 2019, has shocked the entire world. As an effort to control the disease spread, the Indian government declared a nationwide lockdown on March 25th, 2020. As dental treatment was considered high risk in the spread of COVID-19, dentistry became one of the most vulnerable professions during this time. Dental professionals had to face job layoffs, salary cuts in professional colleges, closure of private clinics resulting in huge psychological, moral, and financial crises. Studies during the previous and present pandemics have shown mental issues among health care workers necessitating institutional reforms, along with early care and support. A balance in the work-life amongst professionals is the key to better efficiency and, was majorly affected during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown due to sudden unexpected changes. Hence this study was conducted to understand the changes they underwent both at home and professional front with a hypothesis that physical and mental health, activities, relationship status, and workplace influence the work-life balance. Methods A pre-validated questionnaire survey was done on dentists across India. Structural Equation Modelling and path analysis were applied to the data collected. Results The results of the study supported the hypothesis that factors like physical and mental health, activities, relationship status, and workplace influenced the work-life balance directly. A significant imbalance was seen amongst the female dentists. Conclusion The present study proved the unpreparedness among dental professionals. Hence an evolutionary phase in every field with better working protocols, robust mental health support, and a focus on strategies to face future such emergencies is required.

Aim:To evaluate and compare the effect of antibacterial intracanal medicaments on inter-appointment flare-up in diabetic patients.Materials and Methods:Fifty diabetic patients requiring root canal treatment were assigned into groups I, II, and III. In group I, no intracanal medicament was placed. In groups II and III, calcium hydroxide and triple antibiotic pastes were placed as intracanal medicaments, respectively. Patients were instructed to record their pain on days 1, 2, 3, 7, and 14. Inter-appointment flare-up was evaluated using verbal rating scale (VRS).Results:Overall incidence of inter-appointment flare-up among diabetic patients was found to be 16%. In group I, 50% of the patients and in group II, 15% of the patients developed inter-appointment flare-up. However, no patients in group III developed inter-appointment flare-up. The comparison of these results was found to be statistically significant (P = 0.002; χ2 = 12.426). However, with respect to intergroup comparison, only the difference between groups I and III was found to be statistically significant (P = 0.002; χ2 = 12.00).Conclusions:Calcium hydroxide and triple antibiotic paste are effective for managing inter-appointment flare-ups in diabetic patients. Triple antibiotic paste is more effective than calcium hydroxide in preventing the occurrence of flare-up in diabetic patients.

A BSTRACT Aim: Adhesive restoration does not depend primarily on the configuration of the shape of the cavity. Under varying loading conditions, it is essential to know the stress concentration and load transfer mechanism for distinct cavity shapes. The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the biomechanical characteristics of various cavity shapes, namely oval, elliptical, trapezoidal, and rectangular shapes of class V cavities on mandibular premolars restored with amalgam, glass ionomer cement, and Cention N using three-dimensional (3D) finite element analysis. Materials and Methods: A 3D prototype of a mandibular premolar was generated by Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) images obtained from the cone beam computed tomography and imported to 3D modeling software tool, SpaceClaim. The four distinct load magnitudes of 100, 150, 200, and 250N were applied as a pressure load perpendicular to the lingual plane of the lingual cusp of the occlusal surface (normal load) and at 45° to same (oblique load). The stress distribution patterns and the maximum von Mises stresses were analyzed and compared. Results: The occlusal stresses were distributed from the force loading point in an approximate actinomorphic pattern, and when the force load was close to the margin, the stress was much greater. Conclusion: Ovoid cavity showed lesser stress concentration and deformation for each of the tested restorative material.