Abstract This observational study aimed retrospectively assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) diagnosis and severity of the disease in southern Brazil. All new cases diagnosed with HNSCC from March 11, 2019 to March 10, 2020 (pre-COVID-19) and from March 11, 2020 to March 10, 2021 (COVID-19) were included. The data collected were: date of the histopathological diagnosis, sociodemographic data, place of residence, data related to the tumor (location of the primary tumor, lymph node involvement, distant metastasis and TNM clinical staging), time elapsed between the diagnosis and treatment initiation. There was no significant difference in the number of new diagnoses in the COVID-19 group (n=45) compared to the pre-COVID-19 group (n=47). There was also no statistical difference regarding patients’ sociodemographic profile, time between diagnosis and treatment, and overall TNM staging. However, the clinical N classification was more severe in the COVID-19 group (p=0.021). Patients diagnosed during the COVID-19 pandemic were 4.05 times more likely to have the N-stage more advanced (95% CI:1.62 – 10.12). Although there was no reduction in the number of new diagnosis of HNSCC during COVID-19 pandemic, the diagnosed cases showed lymph node metastasis in more advanced stages. COVID19 COVID 19 COVID-1 (HNSCC Brazil 11 201 10 202 preCOVID19 preCOVID pre (pre-COVID-19 (COVID-19 included residence location involvement staging, staging , staging) initiation n=45 n45 n 45 (n=45 pre-COVID-1 n=47. n47 n=47 . 47 (n=47) patients profile However p=0.021. p0021 p p=0.021 0 021 (p=0.021) 405 4 05 4.0 Nstage stage 95% 95 (95 CI1.62 CI162 CI 1.62 1 62 CI:1.6 10.12. 1012 10.12 12 10.12) stages COVID1 COVID- 20 preCOVID1 (pre-COVID-1 (COVID-1 n=4 n4 (n=4 pre-COVID- (n=47 p002 p=0.02 02 (p=0.021 40 4. 9 (9 CI1 CI1.6 CI16 162 1.6 6 CI:1. 101 10.1 2 (pre-COVID- (COVID- n= (n= pre-COVID p00 p=0.0 (p=0.02 ( CI1. 16 1. CI:1 10. (pre-COVID (COVID (n p0 p=0. (p=0.0 CI: p=0 (p=0. p= (p=0 (p= (p

O objetivo deste estudo foi comparar a eficácia de remoção mecânica da placa dental através da escovação com e sem dentifrício. Vinte e quatro estudantes com idade de 17 a 28 anos participaram deste ensaio clínico randomizado. Os quadrantes 1-3 ou 2-4 foram randomizados para alocação no grupo teste (escovação sem dentifrício) ou grupo controle (escovação com dentifrício). Após 72 h de cessação de higiene bucal, o índice de placa de Quigley & Hein (Turesky) foi avaliado antes e após a escovação por um examinador cego e calibrado. Comparações intra e intergrupo foram realizadas pelo teste t pareado, a um nível de significância de 5%. Os resultados demonstraram que, após a escovação, ambos os grupos apresentaram redução significativa de placa, porém sem diferenças intergrupos (3,06 ± 0,54 a 1,27 ± 0,26 versus 3,07 ± 0,52 a 1,31 ± 0,23). Uma análise separada das faces vestibulares e linguais também não revelou diferenças entre os grupos. Conclui-se que a utilização de dentifrícios associado ao controle mecânico parece não contribuir para a remoção da placa dental.

The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of dental plaque removal by brushing with and without conventional dentifrice. Twenty-four students aged 17 to 28 years participated in this randomized controlled clinical trial. Quadrants 1-3 or 2-4 were randomly allocated to the test group (brushing without dentifrice) or control group (brushing with dentifrice). After 72 h of cessation of oral hygiene, Quigley & Hein (Turesky) plaque index was assessed before and after brushing by a calibrated and blind examiner. Overtime and intergroup comparisons were performed by Student's paired sample t-test at 5% significance level. The results showed that both groups after toothbrushing presented statistically significant reductions in plaque, with no differences between them (from 3.06 ± 0.54 to 1.27 ± 0.26 versus from 3.07 ± 0.52 to 1.31 ± 0.23). A separate analysis of the buccal and lingual aspects also showed no significant differences between groups. It may be concluded that the use of a conventional dentifrice during toothbrushing does not seem to enhance plaque removal capacity.