scholarly journals Influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on dental practice: why measures should be taken – the experience of an European University Hospital (part 1)

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 163-174
Author(s):  
Constantinus Politis ◽  
◽  
Annette Schuermans ◽  
Katrien Lagrou ◽  
Mia Vande Putte ◽  
...  

Introduction The COVID-pandemic does not leave the dental practice unattended. The objective is to analyze why the COVID-19 pandemic urges changes in daily dental practice in the Belgian context. Methodology The Leuven University Hospital’s view is based on Belgian and Leuven University data and existing guidelines concerning hygiene measures in dental practices. The approach chosen is a narrative qualitative approach. Results Although no transmission of COVID-19 has been reported in Belgian dental practices, the number of health care workers infected and deceased urges for safety measures. Conclusions In the absence of a vaccine and of reliable data about the infectivity of droplet and droplet cores, dental procedures causing aerosol should be considered as possible sources of viral spread when treating contagious patients, symptomatic or asymptomatic.

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (SPL1) ◽  
pp. 628-631
Author(s):  
Devangi Agrawal ◽  
Namisha Khara ◽  
Bhushan Mundada ◽  
Nitin Bhola ◽  
Rajiv Borle

In the wake of the current outbreak of novel Covid-19, which is now declared as a 'pandemic' by the WHO, people around the globe have been dealing with a lot of difficulties. This virus had come into light in December 2019 and since then has only grown exponentially. Amongst the most affected are the ones who have been working extremely hard to eradicate it, which includes the hospitals, dental fraternity and the health-care workers. These people are financially burdened due to limited practise. In the case of dentistry, to avoid the spread of the virus, only emergency treatments are being approved, and the rest of the standard procedures have been put on hold. In some cases, as the number of covid cases is rising, many countries are even trying to eliminate the emergency dental procedures to divert the finances towards the treatment of covid suffering patients. What we need to realise is that this is probably not the last time that we are facing such a situation. Instead of going down, we should set up guidelines with appropriate precautionary measures together with the use of standardised PPEs. The government should also establish specific policies to support dental practices and other health-care providers. Together, we can fight this pandemic and come out stronger.


Author(s):  
Meike M. Neuwirth ◽  
Frauke Mattner ◽  
Robin Otchwemah

AbstractAdherence observations of health care workers (HCW) revealed deficiencies in the use of recommended personal protective equipment (PPE) among HCW caring in COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 wards during the first period of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in a university hospital in Germany. The adherence to wearing surgical face or FFP2-masks and disinfecting hands prior to donning and after doffing the PPE was significantly higher in COVID-19 wards However, there was no total adherence of 100% in COVID-19 wards.


2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (6) ◽  
pp. 1198-1202
Author(s):  
M.l Fatima ◽  
M. Waqar ◽  
H. Qamar ◽  
M. Akram ◽  
F. Zia ◽  
...  

Background: Iatrogenic and nosocomial infections are a serious threat to a healthcare setting especially during a pandemic. Hand hygiene among the health-care workers stands out to be a pivotal preventive measure. Practical application of hand hygiene measures during third wave of COVID-19 pandemic primarily depend upon the current knowledge among the health care workers. Methods: A cross-sectional study design based on validated WHO questionnaire for hand hygiene among the health care workers was conducted during March till May2021 in the settings of Shalamar and Central Park hospital and medical colleges. Results: The sample consisted of 271 participants with 110 males and 161 females, with the mean age of 24.72+ 4.174 years. The sample consisted of 36.2% of medical students, 49.1% of doctors and 14.8% of paramedical staff. Nearly 50.6% of the individuals claim to receive formal training. 47.6% believe that “Health-care workers’ hands when not clean” are the main route of cross-transmission. Nearly 57.2% believed that the hospital environment (surfaces)the most frequent source of germs. Comparison of hand-rubbing and washing revealed that major percentage believe hand rub to be rapid however less effective causing dryness. A majority believe that hand hygiene before touching the patient, immediately after exposure to body fluids or immediate surroundings of patients prevents transmission of germs to the patient and vice versa afterwards prevents transmission to HCW. Conclusion: A large proportion of the sample has considerable knowledge regarding essential hand hygiene in a health care setting. However more frequent training sessions should be conducted to improve it further. Key words: Hand hygiene, Health-care workers, Knowledge


2008 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 504-508 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eduardo Caetano Brandão Ferreira da Silva ◽  
Maria das Graças C. Antas ◽  
Armando Monteiro B. Neto ◽  
Marcelle Aquino Rabelo ◽  
Fábio Lopes de Melo ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Vol 31 (3) ◽  
pp. 392-395
Author(s):  
Markus Reinholz ◽  
Benjamin Kendziora ◽  
Surina Frey ◽  
Eva Maria Oppel ◽  
Franziska Ruëff ◽  
...  

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 275-285
Author(s):  
Politis Constantinus ◽  
◽  
Schuermans Annette ◽  
Lagrou Katrien ◽  
Putte Mia Vande ◽  
...  

Background The COVID-19 pandemic does not leave the dental practice unattended. In Part 1 the reason why measures should be taken was explored. Objective The objective is to review the measures that can be taken to minimize the risk of tranmission in the dental practice. Data Sources These measures can be classified according to the guidelines of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). Study Selection A qualitative approach explores the applicability of these guidelines to the dental practice. Data Extraction In order to prevent aerosol transmission in the dental practice a large number of changes are needed. It concerns hygiene protocols, organizational protocols and architectural changes, none of which are backed by a legal framework. Conclusion Until a vaccination program is introduced to counter the COVID-19 pandemic in a country, the dental society will need to take measures to prevent aerosol transmission in the dental office. The pyramid of measures according to NIOSH offers a suitable frame to classify all measures. Any legal regulatory intervention could use this framework.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (02) ◽  
pp. 99-99
Author(s):  
Dilkush Zafar ◽  
Ahsan Inayat ◽  
Uzma Anam Iqbal

This letter aims to explain the importance of using cell phones to take helpful images with high efficiency in various types of dental procedures. In our dental practices’ photography is an effective tool. Its applications are widespread such as in the diagnosis and treatment planning, keeping an illustrative clinical history, legal documentation, publishing, and delivering lectures.1 In modern dentistry, photography has grown into a standard of treatment. With the advent of digital technology these days, photography has now become simpler and widely available. Even then, few practitioners introduce them in their daily practices due to reasons such as a lack of expertise in cameras, lenses, and technique, disruption of workflow, and cost considerations. The use of smartphones with improved technology, however, is constantly emerging. It allows every practitioner with minimal interruptions in their patient workflow to incorporate photography into his or her practice.2 Making images from mobile in dentistry has multi-level importance. Its implementation in dental practice is simple, swift, and extremely useful in recording working practices, conducting health promotion sessions, and administering clinical examinations, thus providing dentists and patients with many advantages.1-2


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