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Abstract Recent new zoonotic respiratory viruses have infected humans and led to severe acute respiratory syndrome: severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV), influenza A H5N1, influenza A H1N1 and Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV). The first SARS-CoV outbreak took place in 2003, in Guangdong, China. A decade later, another pathogenic coronavirus, MERS-CoV caused an endemic in Middle Eastern countries. The latest pandemic coronavirus infectious disease (COVID-19) has been related to the newly isolated severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). For the first time since the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) in the 1980s. Dentistry is facing a new turning point. This critical review aims to discuss the impact of COVID-19 infection on oral health care. In dental practice COVID-19 patients are the main source of infection and symptomatic patients are more contagious. Dentists can be first line of diagnosis of the disease, as they work in close contact with patients and are at the risk of being affected by COVID-19 and all respiratory infections. Several guidelines for dental practice environments have been published by dental associations and regulatory boards. It is already evident that biological, psychological and social effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have present and future impacts on dental practice. Dental schools, regulatory boards, scientific associations, government authorities, and public and private health care services must join efforts to design enduring answers for severe and long-standing viral challenges.

ABSTRACTThis study evaluated 209 Brazilian parents' acceptance of the use of restraint during dental care for their children with intellectual disabilities. Participants were interviewed end they also watched a video on physical restraint techniques, sedation, and general anesthesia. There was a statistically significant relationship for 22.9% of the parents. The odds ratio revealed that participants were more likely to accept physical restraints for their child when parents were over the age of 35 and from an underprivileged economic class and when the children had previously experienced physical restraints. Dental healthcare professionals should consider the individual needs of each patient and consult with the child's family if there is a need to use restraints.

ABSTRACTAimsIdentify factors associated with the presence of oral sucking habits among children with Down syndrome (DS) and cerebral palsy (CP).MethodsThe sample consisted of 181 children with DS or CP from two public healthcare institutions that treat children with special needs in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The children's mothers answered a questionnaire about the individual and behavioral characteristics and the medical history of their children. The study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais.ResultsThe presence of oral sucking habits (bottle feeding and pacifier/finger sucking) was observed in 83.0% of children. Children with artificial sucking habits had a 3.42 times greater chance of having a history of throat infection during the previous 6 months (5.61 to 48). A mother in the group of children with oral sucking habits had a 10.28 chance of not having breastfed her child (2.86 to 36.93).ConclusionThe history of throat infections in the preceding 6 months and the lack of breastfeeding were associated with the presence of oral sucking habits in children with DS and CP.

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to evaluate the compliance of children and adolescents with disabilities with a home plaque control program. A random sample of 52 students between 7 and 21 years old was solicited from a special school, in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. Measurement of the Debris Index and the presence of bleeding on light probing of the buccal gingival papillae were included as part of the initial clinical examination. Plaque control instructions were given during the first and subsequent clinical sessions. During the fourth clinical session, the patients who had more than 25% sites with bleeding papillae on light probing were placed in a separate group (Group 2) which used a mechanical and chemical plaque control protocol. Group 1 consisted of persons who used mechanical plaque control only. All of the patients were followed up for two more recalls (days 51,81) during which they were given plaque control instruction and had another gingival examination. On day 111, the final Debris Index and gingival examination were carried out. A significant reduction (p < 0.02) was found between the first and final Debris Index recordings in both groups. Subjects in Group 1 had a significant reduction (p < 0.001) when the first gingival examination was compared with days 21, 51, 81, and 111. Group 2 showed significant reduction (p < 0.01) in gingival bleeding when day 21 was compared with days 81 and 111. Our study suggests that it is possible for these children/adolescents and their parents to learn and comply with mechanical and chemical plaque control at home.