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Background: Endodontic treatment is one of the main dental treatments to manage inflamed or infected root canal systems of teeth. The success of endodontic treatment principally depends on eradicating microorganisms in the root canal by chemo-mechanical debridement with irrigation solutions like sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl). NaOCl has been used in concentrations ranging from 0.5% to 5.25%. This study determined the antimicrobial effectiveness of selected concentrations (0.5%, 1.0%, 2.6%, and 5.2%) of NaOCl in endodontic treatment. Methods: The study sites were the University of Ghana Dental School (UGDS) and Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR). Sixty infected single-rooted single-canal teeth were used. Before (S1) and after (S2), root canal samples during the endodontic treatment with the selected concentrations of NaOCl were examined via anaerobic and aerobic cultures. The isolates were identified using Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization-Time Of Flight Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). Results: All S1 samples were positive for cultivable bacteria. Fifty-three (53) different microbial species belonging to 20 different microbial genera were isolated. Streptococcus viridans was the most frequently isolated microbe. There were zero isolates in the root canals irrigated with 2.6% and 5.2% NaOCl. Two teeth had isolates in the groups irrigated with the lower concentrations (0.5% and 1.0%) of NaOCl. The persistent bacteria were one species each of Streptococcus mitis and Streptococcus oralis, respectively. Conclusion: Root canal treatments using chemo-mechanical preparation with the selected concentrations (0.5%, 1.0%, 2.6%, and 5.2%) of NaOCl were effective in significantly reducing the microbial load, and for the 5.2% and 2.6% concentrations, in eliminating all the microorganisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Maxillofacial fractures in the paediatric population are peculiar in risks, management, and potential complications. Aim: To determine the pattern, psychological distress to parents, and economic cost of paediatric maxillofacial fractures in Ghana. Design: This study combined a retrospective evaluation with a cross‐sectional cost‐of‐illness (COI) analysis to describe the pattern and economic cost of paediatric maxillofacial fractures in Ghana. The DASS 21 was used to assess psychological distress to parents. Descriptive summaries were generated, and cross‐tabulations done, with consequent tests of associations. Results: In all, 253 patients were included in the study, with 68 households responding to the COI evaluation. Consisting of 179 (70.8%) males and 74 (29.2%) females, the ages ranged from 10 months to 17 years (mean age of 9.0 ± 5.0 years). Maxillofacial fractures frequently resulted from falls (56.5%), while traffic injuries accounted for 27.3%. The average household cost for paediatric maxillofacial fractures in Ghana was US$ 148.77, with the direct cost component accounting for 76% of this amount. At least half of the parents had some degree of psychological distress from the injury sustained. Conclusion: Knowledge of the pattern and disease burden of maxillofacial fractures in children is vital in informing preventive strategies, especially for evolving health systems in sub‐Saharan Africa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare systems and their provision of care has globally been challenged, including the delivery of Oral healthcare. In Ghana, it has become imperative that healthcare delivery including the practice of Dentistry and its sub-specialties be re-oriented in our peculiar setting to ensure minimal risk of spread of the infection. This article discusses the impact of COVID-19 on the practice of Dentistry in the country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]