Pediatric Dentistry: Challenges during COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

In the present scenario when the whole world is fighting against the deadly COVID-19 virus, oral health of children is of great concern for the pediatric dentists. Children are now unwillingly locked inside their home and as a result they are in continuous habit of frequent food intake which is giving rise to various oral health issues. Various researches have also suggested children may play role as asymptomatic carrier of the infection and may lead to further spread of infection, but mortality rate is very negligible. So it is important to provide preventive measures for children for better oral health with minimal intervention and by remote information and education of caregivers and by using teledentistry. Moreover it is of utmost importance to follow the protective protocols while treating the child patients in the dental clinic to prevent cross-infection. This review is aimed at providing information regarding management of pediatric dental patients in midst of ongoing pandemic by following necessary protocols and preventive measures to prevent spread of COVID-19.

MID (Minimal Intervention Dentistry) by Pediatric Dentist Specialist in City of Surabaya during the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…Beberapa perubahan pelaksanaan tindakan oleh praktisi bidang kedokteran gigi anak antara lain yaitu implementasi teledentistry untuk kondisi gigi yang tidak gawat darurat dan penggunaan Alat Pelindung Diri (APD), syarat tes swab, pembatasan durasi perawatan, modifikasi ruang praktik dan kriteria pendamping pasien anak. 5 Masa pandemi COVID-19 juga menimbulkan usaha ekstra dalam manajemen pasien gigi. Kecemasan terhadap perawatan gigi berhubungan dengan ketakutan resiko tertular COVID-19 dan pada akhirnya berdampak semakin buruknya Oral Health related Quality of Life (OhrQoL) seseorang.…”

“…Saat anak-anak tersebut mengalami sakit gigi dan tindakan dokter gigi, orang tua cenderung khawatir terhadap risiko yang timbul dari perawatan gigi. 5 Untuk itu, selain dokter gigi perlu memberikan edukasi khusus mengenai manjemen kebersihan dan kesehatan mulut secara mandiri di rumah, penting juga bagi dokter gigi untuk melakukan identifikasi pasien yang ketakutan serta menggali pendapat dan ketakutan mereka. Akan lebih mudah bagi dokter gigi untuk memasukkan hal ini sebagai protokol praktik sehari-hari untuk meningkatkan rasa aman di antara pasien mereka.…”