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

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.

Knowledge, Perceived Risk, and Preventive Behaviors amidst Covid-19 Pandemic among Dental Students in Malaysia

“…The majority of dental schools worldwide suspended activities to minimize the transmission of the virus [ 13 ]. New oral health policies were implemented including strict infection control measures, postponing non-emergency treatment, and upgrading ventilation systems [ 14 ]. Besides that, the clinical competence and academic performance of dental students were negatively affected due to the suspension of the usual face-to-face teaching activities [ 9 ].…”

Psychological Distress among Bangladeshi Dental Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…For months, dental clinics, dental schools, dental teaching hospitals and universities were closed in many countries such as USA, Canada, Japan, China, India etc. [ 16 , 17 , 18 ]. In addition, all academic dental institutions and dental clinics in Bangladesh were temporarily closed during the pandemic.…”

Recommendations for Safe Dental Care: A Systematic Review of Clinical Practice Guidelines in the First Year of the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…Given the above risks, there was a substantial, general, and severe impact on dentistry in the early stages of the pandemic, when many countries restricted dental care to urgent and emergency cases only. Health authorities of the different countries took a similar stance at the beginning of the pandemic, recommending that dental care should be limited to emergency cases, and that elective dental procedures should be postponed [9]. Since pandemics tend to take longer than expected to decline [10], dentists have had to adapt and take the necessary measures to resume clinical care at the earliest opportunity [11], as elective treatments cannot be postponed indefinitely [10].…”