Current best practice recommendations for safe dental Practice in the COVID-19 era

Abstract

Methods: The researchers conducted a thorough review of the American Dental associations (ADA), Advisory Taskforce on Dental Practice Recovery, CDC (Centers for disease controls & Prevention, USA) guidelines for providing dental care during Covid-19 pandemic to protect the dental personal, OSHA’s (Occupational safety and health administration, US Government agency) supplemental interim guidelines for dental workers and employers related to control and prevention of Covid-19 & the UK’s National Health Services (NHS) proposed guidelines for standard operating procedures for urgent dental care during covid-19 pandemic. Results: Systematically laid down and concisely presented infection control, administrative and engineering control guidelines from top international organizations. Step by step guidelines beginning from pre-appointment screening, in office registration process, chairside protocols to staff protection protocols are presented. Special focus on aerosol/droplet/fomite generating procedures and prevention of infection through judicious use of PPE’s and other novel disinfection techniques including administrative and engineering controls. Conclusion: Covid-19 pandemic is a unique and once in a generation crisis for the practice of dentistry globally. Most dental professionals are limiting themselves to emergency treatments as per local guidelines. There is an urgent need to ensure state of the art and scientifically authentic guidelines are presented to the dental community to alleviate their anxiety so that they can begin to practice dentistry without the uncertainty and fear that Covid-19 has brought upon the dental fraternity. Keywords: COVID-19; dental practice; CDC guidelines; viruses.