Aim and objective: To measure the mandibular canine dimension, intercanine distance, and calculate the mandibular canine index (MCI) to assess their usefulness in gender determination. Materials and methods: The study was performed on 60 boys and 60 girls. Impressions of both the arches were made using alginate material, poured in dental stone, and was allowed to set and then the cast bases were made with dental plaster. A digital Vernier caliper was used for obtaining the measurements. The intermolar arch width, intercanine width, and MCI were calculated. Sexual dimorphism was calculated using the formula given by Garn and Lewis. The data were statistically analyzed using the unpaired “t” test. Results: There was no statistical significance seen in the mandibular intermolar and intercanine distance between the two groups. The MCI between males and females showed a statistically significant difference. Conclusion: Intermolar distance, intercanine distance, and MCI can be used as an alternative tool for sex determination as an inexpensive and alternative method. Clinical significance: The first study in itself to determine gender in the pediatric population in the city of Davangere, India.

Aim and objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of 1% (w/v) chitosan gel as an active agent, on periodontopathogens, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Prevotella intermedia, Fusobacterium nucleatum, and Tannerella forsythia. Materials and methods: One percent chitosan gel was tested for its antimicrobial activity against four periodontopathogens, P. gingivalis, P. intermedia, F. nucleatum, and T. forsythia by using a disk diffusion test. Results: The effectiveness of chitosan gel can be measured using its zone of inhibition. Chitosan gel showed the maximum zone of inhibition against F. nucleatum. It also produced a wide ring of no bacterial growth where P. gingivalis, P. intermedia, and T. forsythia were inoculated. Conclusion: In this study, it has been demonstrated that chitosan gel is effective against the periopathogens tested, thereby highlighting its potential to be used in the treatment of chronic periodontitis. Clinical significance: Chitosan gel shows promise in vitro, by producing a wide zone of no bacterial growth. Therefore, it can be used in the treatment of chronic periodontitis, clinically.

Aim and objective: To assess awareness and vigilance of oral health and esthetics among the young population. Materials and methods: A web-based, self-constructed, multiple-choice questionnaire consisting of 19 questions prepared on Google forms application was used for the survey and distributed using Gmail, WhatsApp among 246 youngsters with an age group ranging from 15 to 30 years selected adopting a convenient sampling method. Results: The result of the study shows awareness of oral hygiene and esthetics were moderate among the youngsters. Ninety-eight percent think oral cleanliness is required and 58.9% brush only once daily. 73.6% brush only to maintain cleanliness. 90.7% were concerned about the esthetics and 81.7% would like to resolve the problem to enhance esthetics and 35.2% found the treatment expensive. Only 50% of them were aware of a specialist called a periodontist and 54% visit a general dentist and 31.7% like to visit a dentist only in times of any oral problem. Conclusion: The majority of the subjects were unaware of a specialist named a periodontist and would visit a general dentist in times of need. Thus, there is a definite need to focus on spreading awareness among youngsters regarding oral hygiene maintenance and esthetic corrections in compromised conditions.

The widespread public health concern that has gripped the complete international community is related to recent spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and its associated coronavirus disease. Despite all the world's efforts to contain the coronavirus disease spread, the outbreak is still on a rise because of the community spread pattern of this infection. This infection is believed to have originated in bats and pangolins and later transmitted to human races thereafter. Once this virus enters the human body, it is abundantly present in nasopharyngeal secretions and salivary secretions of infected patients, and its spread is predominantly thought to be respiratory droplet/contact in nature. Dental professionals being in the frontline for acquiring infections may encounter patients with suspected or confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection. Dental professionals will have to act diligently not only to provide care but at the same time prevent further nosocomial spread of infection also. Thus, this review article aims to provide a brief overview of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and dental aerosols and guidelines in minimizing aerosol production and exposure.

The leaf-like traumatic fibroma (LTF) is a benign fibrous lesion of the connective tissue. Its clinical characteristics feature a flattened pedicle aspect, adapting well to the palate, resembling a leaf. Its color is usually pink, similar to the adjacent epithelium. The growth is slow. The lesion may be larger than 2 cm in diameter. It may be present in the oral cavity for a long time. The LTF is commonly associated with poorly adapted removable complete or partial prostheses which cause a flattening of the lesion against the palate. This report presents an unusual case of an LTF in a dentate patient who did not use any type of prosthesis. Instead, the lesion was related to an injury caused by food trauma, which is an unusual etiology for this type of lesion. We reported the mechanical pressure of the tongue and the action of negative intraoral pressure, as possible modifying agents in causing the characteristic shape of the lesion. Treatment consists of conservative surgical removal since its recurrence is rare.