LION’S den.
This is the best description I’ve come across about the work and the risks that dentists do and face during these times of the pandemic.
It comes from Dr. Tatenda Simango, a medical practitioner in Harare. Writing in The Chronicle, a popular daily newspaper in Zimbabwe, he says:
“Dentists work in the lion’s den, the oral cavity, where a high concentration of COVID-19 would be expected as they will be poking and prodding with drills and sharp instruments during routine dental procedures.
“There is lots of splashing and release of liquids which could be ‘COVID-19 rich’ while these procedures are being done. These instruments create a visible spray that can contain particle droplets of water, saliva, blood, micro-organisms and other debris,” said the newspaper columnist in The Chronicle, the oldest newspaper in Zimbabwe, published since 1891.
Regular surgical face masks used in dentistry – when correctly worn and frequently changed – offer around 80 percent filtration rate and is good protection for elective dentistry in normal circumstances, Dr. Simango observes. Hoping that the majority of patients are healthy, Dr. Simango observed that there are no statistics supporting a high COVID-19 infection rate among dentists.
Among the precautions that help protect dentists from COVID infection, he lists an efficient booking system that prevents too many patients lining up in the reception waiting to see the doctor; systematically assessing all patients upon arrival; temperature checks; sanitizers that are readily available and conveniently placed for both patients and his or her companion; signage on appropriate wearing of masks that are clearly visible; and only one relative allowed to accompany the patient.
Procedures should also be booked in such a way that they do not overlap; sterilized instrument kits are available for patients that had been booked for the day (reducing contamination risk); the dentist and the dental staff wear N95 masks and appropriate face shields and aprons/gowns which are disposed of into a medical waste bin after every procedure (which mitigates the chance of the staff infecting the patient during treatment).
All these we have enumerated too when we featured the protocols now required by the Philippine Dental Association.
“Dentists have been practicing the appropriate use of personal protective equipment as a standard and we should take a leaf from their modus operandi if we are to stand a good chance at ensuring we deliver health care without endangering the service provider nor the patient in light of COVID-19,” Dr. Simango emphasizes.
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Dr. Joseph D. Lim is the former Associate Dean of the UE College of Dentistry, former Dean of the College of Dentistry, National University, past president and honorary fellow of the Asian Oral Implant Academy, and honorary fellow of the Japan College of Oral Implantologists. Honorary Life Member of Thai Association of Dental Implantology. For questions on dental health, e-mail jdlim2008@gmail.com or text 0917-8591515./PN
