Correspondence Address:
Dr. Sekar Mahalaxmi
Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, SRM Dental College, Bharathi Salai, Ramapuram, Chennai, Tamil Nadu
India

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The year 2020 saw a major change in our approach to health care and allied fields with relation to the outburst of the corona pandemic that hit the world early last year and is still in its grip, without a sight of it lessening till the end of the year 2021.

Social distancing, wearing a mask in public, no-touch social greetings, web-based meetings, teachings, and gatherings have been the new norm and are still continuing to be. Schools and colleges have remained inaccessible to many children, their academics being a question mark, especially those who are in their crucial phase of educational life.

Vaccine drive has taken on a new dimension in our country, with more than 40 million people being vaccinated as I write this editorial. The government faces a huge task of getting more and more people vaccinated as the second wave of the COVID infection is hitting an all-time high in many states of our country as in other countries.

Dentists have slowly gone back to treating patients, with the new norm of patient prescreening, advanced disinfection and sterilization protocols, and protective kits. We have survived many calamities of the natural and manmade kinds and I am sure that this phase will also pass soon. With proper precautions, dentists will be able to do routine dental practice without fear of contracting the disease, though the risk of infection is fairly high. However, community spread of the virus being on the rise, the chances of getting infected are higher in any place.

This is the first of the issues of the year 2021, hoping that life returns back to normal sooner than later. So, let us stay safe and healthy till then.