Background Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, people were recommended to implement new health behaviors into their daily routines to prevent the viral spread. The aim of this study was to investigate whether specific health behaviors, such as wearing face masks, taking immunity boosters and visiting risky places were associated with a higher level of stress due to COVID-19 in the general adult population. Method This cross-sectional study was conducted from September 1, 2020 to October 1, 2021 in eight randomly chosen cities of two Serbian speaking countries (Republic of Serbia and Republic of Srpska - Bosnia and Herzegovina). Participants filled a socio-epidemiologic questionnaire, COVID Stress Scales (CSS) and the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). Results The study included 2,301 participants with an average age of 36.72 ± 13.82 years of whom 54.9% were female (p = 0.001). Most participants were healthy, highly educated, employed, married, non-smokers and consumed alcohol. The mean total CSS score was 32.7 ± 23.8 out of 144, suggesting a relatively low stress due to COVID-19. The mean PSS was 19.43 ± 5.05 out of 40 indicating slightly increased level of general stress. Participants who reported higher CSS scores were more likely to wear face masks, use immunity boosters, go to cafes and clubs, have chronic illnesses, have suspicious, but not proven contact with COVID-19 positive people, and use multiple sources of information about COVID-19. Conclusion Few participants experienced high levels of stress due to COVID-19. People who used face masks, immunity boosters and visited risky places reported a higher level of stress during the pandemic. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s41043-025-00833-2.

The pandemic of COVID-19 has brought many changes in health care systems at all levels of health care. The increase in the number of cases of COVID-19 has led to overuse and misuse of antibiotics.The aim of this study was to compare the consumption of antibiotics for systemic use in outpatients in the Republic of Srpska (RS), before and during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the association between antibiotic consumption and the rate of incidence and mortality of COVID-19. The total consumption of the antibiotics for systemic use (J01) in outpatients in the Republic of Srpska during 2019 was 19.40 DDD/TID, with an increase to 30.80 DDD/TID in 2020.Significantly higher use of penicillin (10.58 ± 11.01 DDD/TID in 2019 vs. 17.10 ± 13.63 DDD/TID in 2020), cephalosporins (2.68 ± 1.90 DDD/TID in 2019 vs. 5.93 ± 2.77 DDD/TID in 2020) and macrolides (2.14 ± 2.22 DDD/TID in 2019 vs. 3.40 ± 3.44 DDD/TID in 2020) was observed during the pandemic period. It is necessary to improve the prescribing practice of antibiotics at the primary health care level, public awareness about rational use of antibiotics, as well as the current antibiotic stewardship programs and control their implementation.

Introduction. Visual-motor integration (VMI) is defined as the degree to which visual perception (VP) and finger-hand movements are well coordinated. The VMI consists of two components: VP and motor coordination (MC). The main goal of our research was to determine whether there are differences in age and gender categories in VMI, VP and MC scores, as well as whether there is a correlation between VMI and school success of younger school-aged children. Methods. Out of 103 student respondents, 52 were female (50.5%), aged 6 to 11 years (8.05 ± 1.44 years), divided into two groups according to age: 6-8 years (first, second and third grade) and 9-11 years (fourth to fifth grade). Data on the level of VMI were obtained by applying the following tests: Beery-Buktenica Developmental Test of VMI, VP test and MC test. Results. In the older age group of subjects, a significant difference was observed in the mean values of the score on the VMI (12.67 ± 1.92), VP (23.69 ± 3.21) and MC (24.34 ± 3.23) tests comparing to the younger group of subjects (9.98 ± 2.12; 20.80 ± 3.2; 19.65 ± 3.82) (p < 0.001), while the difference in the mean values of scores in relation to gender was not observed. A significant, positive and strong correlation was observed between the scores on the VMI, VP and MC test with the success of second to fifth grade students (p < 0.050). Conclusion. Given such a strong correlation between VMI and the success of younger students, we conclude that it is important that VMI disabilities are identified in time, so that these students can be referred for further assessment and receive the necessary support.

Introduction. Success in endodontic treatment depends upon the clinician's knowledge and ability to recognize and diagnose the presence of anatomical and morphological variations of the root and canal system. Mandibular canines are usually recognized as having one root and one root canal. In spite of the low incidence of mandibular canines with one root and two canals, their appearance should not be neglected due to the fact that the presence of a second canal in these teeth leads to difficulties in endodontic treatment. The aim of this case report is to describe mandibular canine with two root canals. Case presentation. 45-year-old patient presented for medical care due to the pain in a lower right canine. Clinical and radiographic examination revealed composite filling and caries with periapical radiolucent area and sensitivity to percussion in the mandibular right canine. By careful evaluation of the diagnostic radiology, it was observed that the mandibular canine had two canals. The patient was diagnosed with acute apical periodontitis and root canal therapy was given following the standard protocols. Conclusion. Although the prevalence of two canals in mandibular canine is low, the clinician should always be mindful of variations in the number of canals for appropriate therapeutic management.

Introduction. The success of endodontic treatment depends on the adequate biomechanical preparation and obturation of the entire root canal system. The untreated or poorly debrided/obturated root canals are among the most frequent causes of endodontic treatment failure. The endodontic treatment of maxillary molar has the highest failure rates due to the complexity of their root canal anatomy. The aim of the study is to present the endodontic treatment of maxillary second molar with two roots and two canals. Case report. The clinical case report presents the endodontic treatment of maxillary second molar with two roots and two canals in a patient, aged 32 years. After the analysis of preoperative diagnostic radiograph, opening the pulp chamber and access cavity preparation, two canal orifices were localized. After the biomechanical preparation, root canals were obturated with the Gutta-percha points and sealer during the same visit. Conclusion. Although maxillary second molar most commonly varies in terms of the number of root canals in the buccal roots, less common variations in anatomical and morphological traits, such as the presence of two roots and two canals, should be considered during endodontic treatment.

Abstract The main objective of endodontic treatment is to remove vital and necrotic remnants of pulp tissue and microorganisms and their toxic products from the root canal. During chemo-mechanical endodontic preparation, a smear layer is formed on the wall of the canals. Due to an inability to remove all tissue remnants and the smear layer from the root canal by mechanical instrumentation, it is necessary to use irrigation to ensure sufficient cleaning and disinfection of the largest part of the root canalicular system. The most commonly used irrigants are sodium hypochlorite (Na-OCl), ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), citric acid and chlorhexidine (CHX). Recently, the irrigants QMix and MTAD have been introduced to the market. They are a mixture of different components having antimicrobial, organolytic and mineralytic effects on canal detritus and the smear layer. This review article investigates irrigants in terms of the nature of their effect, their efficiency, optimal concentration, and method of use, and the interactions between the irrigants most commonly used in endodontic therapy are discussed, with special emphasis on QMix and MTAD.

Abstract The aim of this study is to examine the technical quality of root canal fillings in an adult population in the Republic of Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina, who were treated in public dental institutions and private dental clinics. Radiographs of faculty patients, aged 25-60 years old, who came for the first time were examined for the technical quality of root canal fillings. Patients with endodonticallytreated teeth were invited for an interview to reveal the providers of the endodontic treatment. The percentages of teeth with adequate length (p<0.01) and taper (p<0.01) in institutions of public health cases were significantly greater than those in private clinic cases. In addition, the frequency of teeth with adequate root canal fillings in patients treated in public dental institutions was significantly greater than those treated in private dental clinics (p<0.01). A significantly higher percentage of adequate canal fillings is present in teeth where endodontic treatment was performed in public dental institutions compared to private dental clinics. This result indicates the need to improve the quality of endodontic treatment through more intensive training for dentists in private practice.

Abstract Introduction Self- assessment of oral health is simple, non-invasive and cost-effective method of collecting data that takes into account psychosocial aspects of oral health. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of clinical factors on the self-perception of oral health in middle-aged patients in Republika Srpska (Bosnia and Herzegovina). Material and Methods The study included 126 subjects of both genders (34.1% male and 65.9% female) aged 24-54 years. Data were collected through questionnaires and clinical examination. Anonymous questionnaire contained questions related to socio-demographic characteristics of respondents. Clinical examination included teeth condition and the presence of prosthetic restorations. Self-perception of oral health was determined by one question. Results Bivariate analysis indicated significant effect of carious (p<0.001), missing (p<0.001) and filled teeth (p=0.022) but not the prosthetic status on self-perception of oral health. Correlation between the number of carious and missing teeth with self-perception of oral health was significant in regression analysis. Conclusion The number of carious and missing teeth had significant impact on self-assessment of oral health in studied population. Knowledge of effects of oral clinical variables on self-perception of oral health is very important to obtain clearer insight into the association between objectively and subjectively assessed oral health.