ABSTRACT
Since the emergence of the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19), profound alterations in general and specialist dental practice have been imposed to provide safe dental care. The guidelines introduced in response to the COVID-19 pandemic to mitigate healthcare disruption are inconsistent regarding the dental practice re-installation, particularly during a transitional time. Despite the successful mass vaccination campaigns rolled out in 2021, the presence of more than 80 genotypes of COVID-19, rapid neutralisation of antibodies within a short period of seropositivity, and the likelihood of recurrent infection raise some doubts on whether vaccination alone will provide long-term immunity against COVID-19 and its variants. Here, from this perspective, we aim to provide an initial proposal for dental services reinstallation, easily applicable in various care settings. We discuss the potential options for the transition of dental services, as well as challenges and opportunities to adapt to new circumstances after mass COVID-19 vaccination. The proposal of the universal three-tier system of dental services resumption, determined by regional COVID-19 rates, testing accessibility, and vaccination rollout has been presented. Following herd COVID-19 immunity enhancement, it would be prudent to confer various preventative measures until virus spread naturally diminishes or becomes less virulent. Based on modelling data, dental practices may not return to normal, routine operation even after global vaccination as there would still be a significant risk of outbreaks of infection. Variable, multi-level measures will still be required, depending on the local COVID-19 cases rate, to secure safe dental care provision, despite predicted success of vaccination agendas. This approach can be implemented by achievable, practical means as a part of risk assessment, altered work pattern, and re-arrange of dental surgery facilities. The adequate standard operating procedure, with the support of rapid point-of-care testing at workplace, would vastly intensify the uninterrupted recovery of the dental care sector.
ABSTRACT
From December 12, 2019, a pandemic of acute respiratory syndrome, the novel human coronavirus disease (COVID-19), caused by a novel ß-coronavirus (2019- nCoV) began to grow globally by person-to-person transmission. The production of airborne material during aerosol generating dental procedures would expose dental team and patients to remarkable risk of transmission concerning the faceto- face communication and splattered saliva, blood, and other body fluids. Dental professionals can be a substantial help in preventing the transmission of COVID-19. This study has reviewed relevant current evidences in literature that has addressed the role of saliva and the threats that may be inherent in transmission of the disease during dental procedures. The study also offers feasible proactive and preventive measures for dental practice during the outbreak to block possible person-toperson or indirect transmission in dental settings.
ABSTRACT
The current coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak has brought substantial challenges to the world health system, including the practice of dental and maxillofacial radiology (DMFR). DMFR will carry on an imperative role in healthcare during this crisis. This rapid communication has collected and evaluated all the best current evidence and published guidelines as well as professional recommendations to help maxillofacial radiologists and dental practitioners for safer radiological and imaging examinations on healthy, suspected, or confirmed COVID-19 patients during outbreak. Some strategies have been depicted including procedural indications, infection control, and correct employment of personal protection equipment along with evoking the proper practice environment during and after the COVID-19 outbreak.