This study aimed to evaluate the masticatory performance of Korean children and adolescents and to investigate related factors. Early loss of primary molars, degree of occlusion of first molars, occlusal relationship of first molars, and presence of anterior crossbite were considered. From March 2020 to July 2021, 56 children and adolescents between the ages of 6 and 12 were included. The mixing ability index (MAI) was calculated to evaluate the masticatory efficiency of children and adolescents. The subjects were classified into three groups according to the number of early lost primary molars; normal dentition, 1 - 2 teeth lost, more than 3 teeth lost. The number of participants are 23, 18, and 15, respectively. There was no difference in the MAI values between the normal dentition group and the group has 1 - 2 teeth lost. However, when 3 or more primary molars were lost, the MAI value decreased and a significant difference was observed. This study is the first study to evaluate the masticatory performance of children and adolescents in Korea, and it will be helpful to pediatric dentists who evaluate the masticatory performance of children and adolescents and strive to improve the masticatory efficiency of children and adolescents in clinical practice.

Purpose: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic continues. It has been reported that patients with bacterial coinfection have a higher mortality rate than patients without coinfection. However, there are no clear standard guidelines for the use of antibacterial drugs. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the usefulness of procalcitonin, a specific indicator of bacterial infection, as a biomarker for predicting death in COVID-19 patients. Methods: This was a retrospective study of confirmed COVID-19 patients (N = 283) between December 2020 and February 2021 who survived or died. Logistic regression analysis was performed to determine whether there was an association between the level of procalcitonin and death. In addition, receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was performed to determine the usefulness of procalcitonin as a predictor of death. Results: In the non-survivor group, age, the number of patients transferred from a health care center, segment neutrophil ratio, C reactive protein, ferritin, and procalcitonin were significantly higher in the survivor group. In multivariate analysis, procalcitonin was identified as an independent factor associated with death (hazard ratio 6.162, confidential interval 2.285-26.322, p = 0.014). In addition, the predictive power of procalcitonin level and mortality was statistically significant using receiver operating characteristic curve analysis which gave an area under the curve value of 0.823, a cut-off value of 0.05, a sensitivity of 72.2%, a specificity of 87.5% (p < 0.001). Conclusion Measurement of procalcitonin and other biomarkers may be useful to determine whether to use or discontinue use of antibacterial drugs in patients with COVID-19.

This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of dental sound insulation in alleviating stress and fear during dental scaling in pediatric patients. It also examined the influence of a noise-canceling application on dentist-patient communication and convenience of dental procedures. This study included 60 children and adolescents aged 7 - 16 years between April 2022 and March 2023. All participants underwent dental plaque control using an ultrasonic scaler on the maxilla first, followed by plaque control on the mandible. Dental sound insulation with active noise canceling was randomly applied to either the maxilla or mandible. Findings revealed that the stress index was significantly reduced when the application was used, with a score of 5.85 compared to 8.43 without it (p < 0.0001). Similarly, the dental fear score was significantly reduced to 1.17 with the application, as opposed to 2.97 without it (p < 0.0001). The dental sound insulation did not affect the communication between dentists and patients or the convenience of treatment. This study demonstrated that active noise canceling during pediatric dental care significantly reduced stress and fear, suggesting that it could be a valuable behavior guidance tool, particularly for children who find dental visits challenging.

This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of dental sound insulation in alleviating stress and fear during dental scaling in pediatric patients. It also examined the influence of a noise-canceling application on dentist-patient communication and convenience of dental procedures. This study included 60 children and adolescents aged 7 - 16 years between April 2022 and March 2023. All participants underwent dental plaque control using an ultrasonic scaler on the maxilla first, followed by plaque control on the mandible. Dental sound insulation with active noise canceling was randomly applied to either the maxilla or mandible. Findings revealed that the stress index was significantly reduced when the application was used, with a score of 5.85 compared to 8.43 without it (p < 0.0001). Similarly, the dental fear score was significantly reduced to 1.17 with the application, as opposed to 2.97 without it (p < 0.0001). The dental sound insulation did not affect the communication between dentists and patients or the convenience of treatment. This study demonstrated that active noise canceling during pediatric dental care significantly reduced stress and fear, suggesting that it could be a valuable behavior guidance tool, particularly for children who find dental visits challenging.

This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of dental sound insulation in alleviating stress and fear during dental scaling in pediatric patients. It also examined the influence of a noise-canceling application on dentist-patient communication and convenience of dental procedures. This study included 60 children and adolescents aged 7 - 16 years between April 2022 and March 2023. All participants underwent dental plaque control using an ultrasonic scaler on the maxilla first, followed by plaque control on the mandible. Dental sound insulation with active noise canceling was randomly applied to either the maxilla or mandible. Findings revealed that the stress index was significantly reduced when the application was used, with a score of 5.85 compared to 8.43 without it (p < 0.0001). Similarly, the dental fear score was significantly reduced to 1.17 with the application, as opposed to 2.97 without it (p < 0.0001). The dental sound insulation did not affect the communication between dentists and patients or the convenience of treatment. This study demonstrated that active noise canceling during pediatric dental care significantly reduced stress and fear, suggesting that it could be a valuable behavior guidance tool, particularly for children who find dental visits challenging.