Introduction: Dental care utilization is limited, and teeth are often left untreated or extracted in India. Several barriers exist for the utilization of dental services. The present study was undertaken to assess the oral healthcare needs, utilization pattern of oral healthcare services, and barriers to utilization of oral healthcare services among the outpatients of Peripheral Medical Centre, Poonjeri, Mamallapuram, India. Materials and Methods: Simple random sampling was conducted among outpatients and their attenders reporting to the health centre; demographic profile of the patients were recorded followed by interviewer-administered questionnaire for recording the self-perceived dental needs and barriers in utilizing dental care services followed by Type II clinical examination to assess normative dental treatment needs. Results: N =282 study participants participated in the present study; majority of the study participants were from upper lower class and lower middle class. Among the study subjects n = 124 (44%) have not accessed any dentist, n = 112 (39.7%) had visited dentist for toothache. Common reason cited as Self – perceived barriers for dental care are n = 184 (65.2%) – 'Unaware of the dental problems' and n = 118 (41.8%) 'Fear of dental treatment'. Logistic regression showed that significant difference was seen in gender, socioeconomic status, and barriers to dental care (P < 0.05) in influencing the utilization pattern of dental care. Conclusion: Perceived and normative dental needs were high among the study population due to problem-oriented care, and it is influenced by various barriers such as unawareness of dental problems, fear, cost, accessibility, and time.

Objectives: The objectives of the present study have been conducted to evaluate the dental care utilization pattern and barriers encountered toward seeking oral healthcare services. Materials and Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted using a structured interview using the investigator's guide to assess felt needs, utilization, and barriers. Using systematic random sampling technique recruitment of 625 (125 participants per ward of each WHO age group) was done. Results: It was observed that only 52.8% had ever been to a dentist in the past 1 year, and maximum visits were by 65–74-year-olds. The oral healthcare need was majorly met by visiting a private dental practitioner (27.4%) and through outreach programs (23.8%). About 43.5% of participants responded that receiving of oral healthcare was “important only when in pain.” About 66.9% participants felt “cost” was the main barrier restricting them to visit dentist. About 17.11% participants felt that having oral healthcare facility in primary health centers would have helped them. Conclusions: There is an urgent need to increase awareness and utilization of oral healthcare services through mass education and preventive programs.

Robots, the most wonderful invention of human being, have made its way into dentistry. The necessary technologies have been developed and experimented which would help it to be adapted in dentistry. With unmatched precision and ability to work without fatigue, robots are the most useful applications of robotic technology. The main aim of this paper is to review the application of robotics in dentistry.

The purpose of this paper is to report a case of a 16-day-old infant with two natal teeth in mandibular anterior region associated with ulceration on the tip and ventral surface of the tongue. Clinical presentation revealed two natal teeth with Grade II mobility in the mandibular anterior region and Riga–Fede Disease. The treatment planned was to extract both the natal teeth followed by curettage of the extraction socket to prevent aspiration, swallowing of teeth, and for early resolution of ulcerative lesion. Satisfactory healing of ulcerative lesion was observed at 10 days follow-up visit.

On the global picture India is a fast growing nation with an equally growing population. The dental workforce has grown in the absence of any specific design or policy planning, resulting in an oversupply of dentists in urban areas. The inverse ratio of dentist to population is a major setback especially in the rural areas. Proper distribution of available manpower is the need of the hour. The challenges are many, but they can be overcome with strong consensus and implementation through upstream approaches.