Revolution in modern teaching in dentistry since the appearance of the COVID-19 pandemic: A review.

Dentistry schools have attempted to overcome the challenges imposed by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic through teaching via the Internet with the use of virtual platforms, designed to simulate face-to-face interaction and counteract the social isolation affecting the integral development of students. This review searched the main health databases, including MEDLINE via PubMed, Scopus and LILACS, and selected 31 articles to proceed with the research. During the pandemic, platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Zoom, Google Meet, and other similar tools allowed teachers to develop dynamic slides and dental models to simulate procedures, which played an important role in the course of mainly theoretical classes. In addition, applications such as WhatsApp allowed the rapid acquisition and sharing of useful information on a specific topic. While virtual resources facilitate the learning process through generating interest as well as providing accurate, necessary, valuable, and easily accessible information, which is constantly updated, the disadvantages of remote learning include the lack of instruments, infrastructure and materials, apart from supervision, to promote personal development and progressive evolution to directly treat patients. Another issue with regard to virtual learning is whether within a short period of time students can achieve a comparable level of practical skills as in the case of the conventional learning. In conclusion, the current pandemic has changed not only the use of technology in education, but also educational strategies for the future.

Biosafety for Dental Patients During Dentistry Care After COVID-19: A Review of the Literature.

The world is currently changing due to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), and the field of dentistry is no stranger to this. The care of patients in the dental office involves very strict biosafety protocols, and patients must be aware of the protection barriers implemented to allow satisfactory, safe dental care. The purpose of this study was to synthesize and analyze the management of the current biosafety standards for dental patients since the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic. A bibliographic search of the main sources of information including MEDLINE (by means of PubMed), Scopus, Science Direct, SCIELO, and Google Scholar was carried out. Articles published without language restriction, systematic reviews, literature reviews, and observational studies were included. We identified the biosafety measures that must be taken before, during, and after dental practice following the arrival of COVID-19. The main measures include telephone triage, temperature taking on arrival at the office, the organization of the waiting room, washing hands before entering the office, knowing the auxiliary radiographic exams of choice and what type of treatment can be performed, albeit with restrictions. In conclusion, dental patients must comply with all the biosafety measures established by international protection standards and implemented by dentists before, during, and after dental practice to reduce the possibility of COVID-19 infection.

Effectiveness and Recommendations for the Use of Dental Masks in the Prevention of COVID-19: A Literature Review.

The purpose of this investigation was to identify, synthesize, and compare all the current information on the efficacy of dental masks, emphasizing their use, types, and filters to prevent the spread and infection of COVID-19 and other infectious diseases. A bibliographic search of the main scientific databases was carried out using the words "masks, COVID-19, and dentistry." Articles without language restriction up to May 31, 2020, were obtained. The types of masks, their half-life, method to use, sterilization, and proposed alternatives for dental masks were analyzed. Most of the articles refer to the use of N95 or FFP2 respirators presented as a strategy to extend the life of the masks and limited reuse. Regarding sterilization, most of the articles presented studies using ultraviolet germicidal irradiation as the sterilization method. Regarding respirator mask half-life, we recommend prolonged use, combined with a disposable surgical mask over the respirator mask. Finally, the use of N95 or FFP2 respirators are recommended as part of personal protective equipment for dental use.

Biosafety measures at the dental office after the appearance of COVID-19: A systematic review

The purpose of this research was to determine biosecurity measures at the dental office after the appearance of COVID-19. A search was conducted in the main databases of the scientific literature using the words "COVID-19, coronavirus, SARS-Cov2, biosecurity, disinfection and dentistry". We analyzed biosecurity and disinfection standards at the dental office and dental health personnel to date, and their adaptation to the needs and way of working of each. As a result, according to the information collected the following procedure was identified: a telephone appointment must be made and a questionnaire should be given before dental care;at arrival to the appointment, the temperature of the patient should be taken and proper cleaning and disinfection of the waiting room should be maintained. Panoramic radiography and CBCT are the auxiliary methods of choice. Absolute isolation and atraumatic restorative therapy techniques are a good alternative to decrease fluid exposure. The removal of protective clothing and accessories must follow a specific order and washing hands before and after is essential. In conclusions the efficient biosecurity for dentists and patients in all dental care processes before, during and immediately after the appointment reduces the risk of COVID-19 infection and allows healthy dental care environments.