Pivoting Dental Practice Management during the COVID-19 Pandemic-A Systematic Review.

Background and Objectives: The aims of this systematic review were to identify additional infection control measures implemented in dental practice globally to prevent cross-infection and evaluate the psychological impacts of the pandemic among dental professionals. Materials and Methods: A sequential systematic literature search was conducted from December 2019 to 30 April 2020 through PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus, Google Scholar, Embase, and Web of Science databases. The search yielded the following results: "COVID-19" (n = 12,137), "Novel corona virus" (n = 63), "COVID-19 and dentistry" (n = 46), "COVID-19 and oral health" (n = 41), "Novel Corona virus and Dentistry" (n = 0), "dental health and Novel Coronavirus" (n = 26), and "dental practice and Novel Coronavirus" (n = 6). Results: After a careful review and eliminating articles based on inclusion and exclusion criteria, the final review included 13 articles. Management of infection control is discussed extensively in the literature and remains the main theme of many Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) articles on dentistry. Telephone triage using a questionnaire, hand hygiene, personal protective equipment (PPE) for clinical and nonclinical staff, a preprocedural mouth rinse, and aerosol management have been discussed and implemented in few countries. Three studies recommended that elective treatments for patients with a temperature of >100.4 F or 38 °C should be postponed or performed in an airborne infection isolation room (AIIR) or negative-pressure room. Limiting the number of patients in the waiting area, the removal of shared objects, proper ventilation, and physical distancing were highly recommended. Psychological distress among dental professionals in relation to existing medical conditions and self-efficacy has been discussed. Conclusions: Although the COVID-19 pandemic has had a substantial impact on the dental profession worldwide, our review highlights many practice management approaches to adopt the new norm. More research highlighting evidence-based safety practices and multisectoral collaboration is required to help dental professionals make informed decisions and make the profession safe, both for the patient and dental professionals.

Guidelines for innovation in dental education during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.

During the current coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, dental education and training requiring face-to-face interaction must prioritize infection prevention and the safety of students, staff, and patients. In July 2020, the Association for Dental Education, Asia Pacific (ADEAP) published safety guidelines for safe dental education during the COVID-19 pandemic. These guidelines summarize ADEAP recommendations for classroom-based courses, reopening of simulated training courses and dental clinics, and provision of clinical skills training courses in dentistry during the COIVID-19 pandemic. They have been formulated to ensure the safety of students and teaching staff, dental auxiliary staff, and patients. However, the present guidelines are considered appropriate only when the number of COVID-19 epidemic cases has been significantly reduced, i.e. when the epidemiological curve has flattened in the area concerned. The criteria for lifting restrictions on activities should be consistent with relevant jurisdictional guidelines.

Covid-19 outbreak and Oral Health Concerns – A Systematic Review (preprint)

Background:The aim of this systematic review is to shed light on practical implications of Covid-19 pandemic for the profession of dentistry. It examines the current literature and dental guidelines on Covid-19 in a systematic manner.Methods:A sequential systematic literature search was conducted on Pubmed, Medline, CINAHL, Scopus, Google scholar, Embase of Web of Science. The search results yielded the following results-Covid-19 (n=5171), Novel corona virus (n=63), Covid- 19 and dentistry (n=46), Covid-19 and oral health (n=41) Novel Corona virus and Dentistry (n=0), dental health and Novel Coronavirus (n=26), and dental practice and Novel Coronavirus (n=6)Results:The final review included 13 articles after elimination of other articles based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. Original articles and systematic reviews addressing 2019-nCoV and dentistry were entitled for inclusion, case reports, case series, correspondences, editorials were not included. Bias risk assessment was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS)Conclusion:Covid-19 pandemic is an existential crisis for the profession of dentistry and requires a complete rethink about many aspects of the profession due to the nature of dental work. Evidence based research and multi-sectorial collaboration is required to make the profession safe again, both for the patient and dental team.