By Dr. Joseph D. Lim

During the lockdown, the dental profession was not seen as a most essential part of health care.

For this and many other reasons, one being safety for both patients and dentists, many dental clinics closed. Below the radar of news reports, were the thousands of dental staff that many clinics were forced to lay off because of the lockdown.

Now, dental clinics are starting to re-open, albeit with new standard procedures that conform with the COVID times.

The dentist and all of the dental team now have to wear personal protective equipment. Patients have to be screened for symptoms of infection before they are seen by the dentist. And many many more safety and hygiene protocols are now in place.

Also under the radar and unnoticed is that after three months of virtual lockdown, what could be minor issues of the teeth, gums and oral health may have become serious ones.

We expect, of course, that patients went to the hospital for emergency dental cases, but this is assuming too much because not many can afford dental care in hospital settings.

Little attention has been given too on the fact that dental issues heightens the risk of coronavirus infection. For example, gum infections may cause inflammation that may lead to heart diseases and diabetes.

Both conditions are known to turn up the risks of acquiring COVID-19 infection.

Dentists and their staff are prone to coronavirus infection as well. Their work is in close proximity to the oral cavity and the saliva therein. The power tools that they use generate sprays of saliva that may be potentially infectious.

This is why in this new normal situation, patients must understand why they have to undergo interview screening before they see the dentist. Not to say, of course, that it is required — among many other protocols — by the Philippine Dental Association.

Patients must know that while dental clinics have been strict in hygiene and sanitation during pre-COVID times, they are much more so now. For example, they now use disinfectants meant to kill viruses to wipe surfaces in the treatment room after each and every patient.

Clinics may use state-of-the-art autoclave to suck all the air and liquid from dental instruments. To prevent recontamination, this is followed by sterilizing the instruments with high heat and pressure then dried.

Some clinics may even use High-Efficiency Particulate Air or HEPA filters to force air through a fine mesh that traps viruses.

Even a simple procedure like cleaning teeth will now require face shields on top of the standard surgical masks worn by dentists and dental staff.

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Dr. Joseph D. Lim is a 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./WDJ