AS Covid-19 is rapidly spreading worldwide and the number of cases in Pakistan is also rising with each passing day in several affected areas, there is a need for immediate targeted actions.

Despite the lockdown, private dental treatment is open in many cities and providing emergency dental facilities. Dental care faculty should initiate training for all staff and those who may be required for dental care provision because the dental staff is more prone to this pandemic virus if they are treating coronavirus patients.

A large number of cases in China and Italy, especially from the initial period of the outbreak, have been among the health workers. Such cases have important consequences in addition to the health of individuals, as quarantine measures may need to be put in place for close contact among staff and the exposure may be life-threatening for exposed patients in dental care facilities.

Therefore, infection prevention and control practices are of great importance in controlling Covid-19, protecting the functioning of dental care services and mitigating the impact on vulnerable population. Dental procedures such as root canal treatment, extractions, scaling, fillings, and implants are dangerous as blood and saliva droplets come out from the mouth and often splash into the dentist’s face.

If these droplets contain coronavirus they might go to nasal or oral tract and affect the dentist too if they do not take any precautionary measures for treating coronavirus patients. General precautionary measures are not enough to build barriers from this virus.

The minimal personal protective equipment should include respiratory protection, FFP2 or FFP3 respirator, eye protection (goggles or face shield), long- sleeved water-resistant gown and gloves.

In the current situation, it is crucial to investigate the availability and impact of countermeasures for public health actions and clinical management. It is important to understand the relative efficiency and relevance of different modes of transmission such as droplet versus airborne, blood, surfaces or oral.

Dr Mehreen Aftab
Karachi Medical & Dental College
Karachi

Published in Dawn, April 9th, 2020