Juan Pablo Vargas-Buratovic1, Francisca Verdugo-Paiva2, Claudia Véliz-Paiva3, Elizabeth López-Tagle4, Alexis Ahumada-Salinas5, Duniel Ortuño-Borroto6. 1. Escuela de Odontología, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile. ORCID: 0000-0003-2486-624X. 2. Fundación Epistemonikos, Santiago, Chile. Centro Evidencia Universidad Católica, Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile. ORCID: 0000-0003-0199-9744. 3. Escuela de Odontología, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile. ORCID: 0000-0002-9448-8224. 4. Facultad de Odontología, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago, Chile. ORCID: 0000-0002-7185-9256. 5. Dirección de Salud, Municipalidad de Recoleta, Santiago, Chile. ORCID: 0000-0002-4810-3477. 6. Escuela de Odontología, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile. Email: drortuno@uc.cl. ORCID: 0000-0001-5425-5779.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: COVID-19 is a world public health problem due to its morbidity and mortality, especially in at-risk groups. The dental environment has a high risk of viral transmission; accordingly, this study aimed to identify recommendations based on the best available evidence for dental care during this pandemic. METHODS: We performed a search for scientific evidence published since 2002 to March 23th 2020 in electronic databases (MEDLINE/PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane, and Epistemonikos) and the web pages of the American Dental Association, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Oral Health, the Ministry of Health in Chile and scientific societies. RESULTS: We included nine published studies. The recommendations were the following: unrestricted use of personal protection elements, use of extraoral radiographic techniques, use of mouth rinses with 1% hydrogen peroxide or 0.2% iodine povidone, a four-hand technique with ongoing aspiration and the use of absorbable sutures. Furthermore, there is a consensus that non-urgent treatments should be postponed during periods of community transmission. CONCLUSIONS: Dental practitioners are exposed to a high risk of cross-infection, meaning they must implement recommendations based on the best available evidence to preserve the health of team members and the population they are caring for.
INTRODUCTION: COVID-19 is a world public health problem due to its morbidity and mortality, especially in at-risk groups. The dental environment has a high risk of viral transmission; accordingly, this study aimed to identify recommendations based on the best available evidence for dental care during this pandemic. METHODS: We performed a search for scientific evidence published since 2002 to March 23th 2020 in electronic databases (MEDLINE/PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane, and Epistemonikos) and the web pages of the American Dental Association, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Oral Health, the Ministry of Health in Chile and scientific societies. RESULTS: We included nine published studies. The recommendations were the following: unrestricted use of personal protection elements, use of extraoral radiographic techniques, use of mouth rinses with 1% hydrogen peroxide or 0.2% iodine povidone, a four-hand technique with ongoing aspiration and the use of absorbable sutures. Furthermore, there is a consensus that non-urgent treatments should be postponed during periods of community transmission. CONCLUSIONS: Dental practitioners are exposed to a high risk of cross-infection, meaning they must implement recommendations based on the best available evidence to preserve the health of team members and the population they are caring for.