Background: While parental presence during pediatric dental procedures has been extensively debated, the influence of sibling presence remains largely unexplored. Siblings may provide comfort and assurance to the child through familiarity and modelling, but they can also act as a source of distraction or disrupt clinical setting. This study will help to understand the pediatric dentist’s perspectives on this underexplored aspect which can help develop balanced approaches for managing family involvement in the operatory. Aim: To assess the self-reported attitudes, experiences and clinical observations of pediatric dentists regarding parental and sibling presence in the dental operatory during pediatric dental procedures, using an online questionnaire-based survey. Methodology: The study was conducted as a cross sectional, questionnaire-based survey among 200 licensed pediatric dentists and pediatric dentistry postgraduate residents in Kerala. Participants were invited to complete a structured, self-administered online questionnaire designed to assess their attitudes towards parental and sibling presence during pediatric dental procedures. Responses were collected anonymously and analyzed using descriptive statistics to summarize trends, while inferential statistics will be applied to evaluate associations between demographic/ professional characteristics and attitudes. Results: Among 200 pediatric dental practitioners, parental presence was commonly permitted and largely perceived to enhance child cooperation and communication, particularly during invasive and behavioral management procedures. Sibling presence was more selectively allowed, considered most beneficial for preschool-aged children and during non-invasive care. While many dentists reported occasional negative impacts of family presence, favorable perceptions significantly influenced clinical practice (p < 0.001). Practice setting, but not years of experience, was associated with allowing sibling presence.

Recovery after oral and maxillofacial interventions often involves temporary functional limitations and visible postoperative changes that may affect psychological well-being and social participation. Conventional postoperative care focuses primarily on surgical success and complication prevention, while supportive recovery experiences receive comparatively less attention. This paper presents a conceptual interdisciplinary framework for integrating non-invasive aesthetic support procedures, specifically specialized compression-vibration protocols and localized microcurrent applications, into recovery pathways following oral and maxillofacial interventions. The conceptual model emphasizes patient-reported recovery experience, collaborative practice, and structured recovery support without replacing conventional medical care. Special attention is given to the role of aesthetic professionals in multidisciplinary environments and to the practical limitations associated with non-medical supportive interventions.

Background: Early childhood oral hygiene is vital for preventing dental diseases like early childhood caries (ECC), a common chronic condition in children worldwide. Parents and caregivers are crucial in establishing and supervising oral care habits from infancy. Cariogenic bacteria, especially Streptococcus mutans, can be transmitted from caregivers to children through everyday behaviors, increasing caries risk. Despite this, parental knowledge about early oral hygiene and bacterial transmission varies, which can delay preventive care. Improving parental awareness and the mechanism of bacterial transmission is vital for effective pediatric oral health promotion and prevention of early childhood caries. Aim: To assess parental awareness and knowledge regarding early childhood oral hygiene and caregiver-to-child transmission of cariogenic bacteria, and to identify demographic factors associated with this awareness. Methodology: The study was conducted among 200 participants and consists of a cross-sectional survey tailored to the parents who applied to the clinic in questionnaires. Participation was completely voluntary, and parents who submitted a fully completed questionnaire and volunteered to participate were included, whereas parents did not answer at least one question, or were unable to read or write excluded. Results: Among the 200 participants, awareness regarding early childhood oral hygiene and bacterial transmission was generally low, and only a small proportion correctly identified when the brushing should begin. Awareness of cariogenic bacterial transmission was also low. A significant association was found between parental age and the initiation of toothbrushing (p = 0.005), whereas no significant associations were observed with gender, education, or awareness of bacterial transmission (p > 0.05).

Introduction: Lymph nodes in the oral and maxillofacial region serve as critical indicators of immune activity. They reflect a wide range of pathological processes. Various types of lesions, including infectious, autoimmune, neoplastic, or idiopathic, trigger a specific pattern of lymph node response, characterized by distinct structural and cellular changes. These patterns may resemble malignant conditions complicating diagnosis. Recognition of these patterns supports effective disease characterization and informed clinical decision-making. Accurate assessment requires integration of morphological features with clinical findings and the usage of appropriate ancillary studies. This review highlights the diverse spectrum of lymph node responses encountered in oral pathology and emphasizes their diagnostic and clinical relevance. Objectives: The key objectives of this review are to elucidate the anatomical, histological, and molecular basis of lymph nodes in the oral and maxillofacial region, to analyze the physiological and immunological functions of lymph nodes in health and disease, to explore the influence of local microenvironmental factors on lymph node responses in inflammatory, infectious, and neoplastic oral conditions, and to assess the diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic significance of lymph node involvement in oral and maxillofacial pathology. Materials and Methods: The present review synthesizes data from reputable sources on lymph node responses in oral and maxillofacial pathology. Electronic databases including PubMed, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, and SAGE Journals were systematically searched for original research articles, reviews, and clinicopathological studies published between 1926 and 2025. Conclusion: Standard textbooks and classical literature on lymphatic system anatomy, histology, immunology, and oral pathology were also consulted for foundational context. The selected studies addressed normal lymph node architecture, lymphatic drainage patterns, immunological and pathological lymph node responses, and their role in oral inflammatory, infectious, and neoplastic conditions, particularly oral squamous cell carcinoma. Approximately 30–35 peer-reviewed articles were analysed to provide an integrated overview of the diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic significance of lymph node involvement in oral and maxillofacial pathology.