1. Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Children’s Oral Health and Oral Health Care
The COVID-19 pandemic had negative effects on children’s oral health and access to dental services. Lockdowns and restrictions resulted in vast delays in obtaining routine dental visits, with many families avoiding clinics over fear of infection. This disruption led to a spike in dental problems, including cavities and gum disease, especially among children from low-income families. Contributing factors include decreased frequency of toothbrushing, increased consumption of sugary foods, and less parental oversight of oral hygiene practices.
In addition, parents reported difficulties maintaining their children’s oral health during quarantine due to stress, disrupted routines, and lack of professional guidance.
It has been proposed that these issues can be addressed by reestablishing school-based oral health programs and implementing specific public health measures to help families support children’s oral hygiene. It is essential to adopt such strategies to cope with the long-term effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on children’s oral health. These steps can help address current challenges—such as delayed dental visits and increased risk of cavities—and also prepare the oral healthcare system to be more resilient in future public health emergencies by improving access, education, and preventive treatment.
2. Current Management of Oral Cancer: A Multidisciplinary Approach
This section is based on the article “A Multidisciplinary Approach” by Dr. Robert A. Ord and Dr. Remy H. Blanchaert Jr., published in the Journal of the American Dental Association. The article emphasizes the crucial role of a multidisciplinary approach in the effective treatment of oral cancer.
The authors highlight that oral cancer management involves collaboration among various specialists, including surgeons, radiation and medical oncologists, pathologists, and dental professionals. This team-based approach ensures comprehensive care from diagnosis through rehabilitation. The article also discusses advancements in surgical procedures that reduce treatment-associated morbidity and improvements in radiation and chemotherapy techniques that enhance treatment outcomes.
Emerging methods such as gene therapy and immunotherapy are explored for their potential to offer more targeted interventions. Furthermore, progress in molecular biology has expanded our understanding of disease mechanisms, allowing for more personalized treatment plans.
Special attention is given to the role of general dentists, who are often the first to detect suspicious lesions and manage oral health complications resulting from oncologic treatments. Overall, the article underscores the importance of integrated care in improving prognosis and quality of life for patients with oral cancer.
