Changes in Oral Health Policies and Guidelines During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Meng Jiang ,Murali Srinivasan,Porawit Kamnoedboon,Prim Auychai,Morankar Rahul,Vijay Prakash Mathur,Shinan Zhang,Chun Hung Chu,Sanicha Yaklai,May Lei Mei,Duangporn Duangthip,Suchit Poolthong,Oranart Matangkasombut,Mirei Chiba,Mike Morgan,Edward Chin Man Lo,Tetsu Takahashi,Kavita R Mathu‐Muju ,Hamdi H Hamama ,Xin Zou ,K Lyons ,Morẹ́nikẹ́ Oluwátóyìn Foláyan

doi:10.3389/froh.2021.668444

Abstract

The aim of this study was to describe the changes in oral health policies and guidelines in response to the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in different countries and regions around the world. Information on oral health policies and guidelines from 9 countries (Canada, China including Hong Kong, Egypt, India, Japan, New Zealand, Nigeria, Switzerland, and Thailand) were summarized, and sources of the information were mostly the national or regional health authorities and/or dental council/associations. The changes made to the oral health guidelines depended on the severity of the COVID-19 pandemic. This included suspension of non-emergency dental care services at the peak of the COVID-19 outbreak, and easing the restrictions on non-essential and elective dental care when the pandemic became under control. The COVID-19 risk mitigation strategies include strict adherence to infection control practices (use of hand sanitizers, facemask and maintaining social distancing), reducing the amount of aerosol production in the dental setting, and managing the quality of air in the dental treatment rooms by reducing the use of air conditioners and improving air exchange. The COVID-19 pandemic has shown a major impact on dental practice. Dental professionals are trying to adapt to the new norms, while the medium to long-term impact of COVID-19 on dentistry needs further investigation.

Highlights

A newly identified pneumonia outbreak was first reported in China in December 2019
This review paper aimed to summarize the lessons learned from regions with different disease severity, and the policy implications of these lessons, and to suggest practical guides for reviewing national oral health policies that can inform safe oral healthcare practices beyond the pandemic
Despite the differences in the severity of the COVID-19 pandemic in the selected counties/regions, the changes in oral health policies and guidelines are consistent to some extent

Summary

Introduction

A newly identified pneumonia outbreak was first reported in China in December 2019. This was caused by a highly infectious pathogen named the severe acute respiratory coronavirus 2 (SARCoV-2). It has caused the global pandemic, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which has affected 1% of the global population (79,231,893 cumulative cases up to 27 December 2020) and disrupted the world’s usual socioeconomic daily activities [1]. The SARS-CoV-2 is transmitted through direct or indirect human-to-human contact via infected secretions such as respiratory and saliva droplets, or through contaminated surfaces [2]. Patients with co-morbidities such as chronic renal, lung, and heart diseases are more likely to have severe or critical COVID-19 symptoms [3]

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Conclusion