Clinical orthodontic management during the COVID-19 pandemic

Perceived impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on orthodontic practice by orthodontists and orthodontic residents in Nigeria

Background

The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has had far-reaching effects on orthodontic care delivery worldwide. This study aimed to assess the impacts of the pandemic on orthodontists and orthodontic residents in Nigeria.

Methods

This cross-sectional study was conducted among consenting orthodontists and orthodontic residents. The respondents were contacted through the WhatsApp group of the Nigerian Association of Orthodontists to fill the self-administered online questionnaires (Google forms). The questionnaire had two sections: A, Sociodemographics; B, Perceived impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20. Descriptive statistics were used to compute mean and standard deviation and chi-square for association. Level of significance was set at P < 0.05.

Results

This study population comprised 98 people; however, only 73 participants responded, which represented a response rate of 74.5%. Approximately 60% (44) of the respondents thought that the COVID-19 pandemic would lead to a reduction in the number of orthodontic patients in the future, whereas almost all the respondents reported that it would affect their future practice of orthodontics. Most of the respondents (63.0%) reported that the pandemic had recorded a moderate to severe negative economic impact on them. Significant gender differences were recorded, in the social life of respondents, in addition to economic and psychosocial effects.

Conclusions

Almost all respondents reported that they would change their future practice of orthodontics, particularly with respect to placing a greater emphasis on infection control. Most of the respondents reported perceived economic, psychosocial, and social impacts due to the pandemic.

COVID-19 Pandemic and Dental Practice

SARS-CoV-2, a virus causing severe acute respiratory syndrome, has inundated the whole world, generating global health concerns. There is a wildfire-like effect, despite the extensive range of efforts exercised by the affected countries to restrain the expanse of this pandemic, owing to its community spread pattern. Dental specialists in the upcoming days will likely come across patients with presumed or confirmed COVID-19 and will have to ensure stringent infection prevention and control to prevent its nosocomial spread. This paper strives to provide a brief overview of the etiology, incubation, symptoms, and transmission paradigms of this novel infection and how to minimize the spread in a dental healthcare setting. This review presents evidence-based patient management practice and protocols from the available literature to help formulate a contingency plan with recommendations, for the dental practices prior to patients' visit, during in-office dental treatment, and post-treatment, during the pandemic and after.

Impact of COVID-19 Lockdown on Patients Undergoing Orthodontic Treatment: A Questionnaire Study

With COVID-19 declared as a worldwide pandemic, a nationwide lockdown was implemented overnight in India on March 24, 2020. With no prior warning or anticipation, patient appointments were temporarily ceased as institutions and clinics were indefinitely closed. To our knowledge, no study addresses the orthodontic patient perspective in such testing times, where they are entirely restricted to the confines of their homes.

AIM

To assess the impact of the COVID-19-related lockdown on the treatment and psychology of patients undergoing orthodontic treatment.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A self-designed online exploratory questionnaire of 15 questions was distributed to 500 potential responders selected from obtained lists through messages and emails. It was mandatory to answer all questions and the survey was anonymized and did not contain any identifying information. Online consent was taken before participation in the study. The obtained data were evaluated using descriptive and inferential statistics.

RESULTS

The response rate was 81.6%. The study revealed that the majority of patients were affected by the lack of access to orthodontic visits. The reasons for the same were attributed to fear of increased treatment duration, inconveniences caused by poking wires, broken brackets, etc., and lack of communication between the orthodontists and patients, among the various other reasons. The importance of orthodontic appointments was also understood by patients.

CONCLUSION

The study threw light on the essential need for understanding the psychology of patients undergoing orthodontic treatment. In any situation where patients do not have access to seek help, all the factors discussed in the study should be considered and it is of utmost importance that orthodontic professionals see to it that their patients are being looked after mentally, if not physically, in whatever way possible.

Impact of SARS-CoV-2 on orthodontic education and global practice guidance: A scoping review

The acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), also known as COVID-19, has had unprecedented impact on orthodontic care and education. Dental schools and clinics have stopped their normal educational and clinical activities worldwide, while only accepting emergency cases. It is still unknown when students will return to clinics to resume patient care and receive training. This scoping review aims to examine, summarize, and reference current resources to analyze the impact of SARSCoV-2 on orthodontic practice recommendations and orthodontic education. This review summarizes recommended global guidelines to provide a better understanding of the current consensus for protocols of safe orthodontic care; this scoping review serves to help create concrete guidelines for orthodontists to deal with the current SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, and for future infectious diseases, and assessing the impact on orthodontic education. Using inclusion/exclusion criteria, 456 articles were screened by two independent screeners and data were extracted and charted from 50 relevant sources. These 50 sources conveyed similar guidelines for provider and patient safety in orthodontic practices, with some stressing certain protocols such as personal protective equipment over others. Impacts on orthodontic education conveyed changes in protocols for learning, competency, and clinical skills. As this respiratory illness progresses, the field of orthodontics needs cohesive universal clinical guidelines and further assessment of the impacts of SARS-CoV-2 on orthodontic education.

Diagnostic Tests for SARS-CoV-2: Implications in Head and Neck Oncology

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Screening is imperative to safeguard patients, practitioners and staff.

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Various tests available for screening and diagnosing patients for SARS-CoV-2.

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Rapid test can be used to screen patients before any surgical intervention.

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Along with testing, clinical features should be corroborated.

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Oral findings might aid in early diagnosis of COVID-19.

Provision of continuous dental care for oral oncology patients during & after COVID-19 pandemic

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Role of Dental team in assessing the risk prior to oncotherapy.

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Dentist’s role involving prevention and alleviation of pain in the oral cavity.

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Disruption of dental care to all patients, including those receiving oncotherapy.

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Dentists to operate tele-triage and plan video consultations.

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Counseling and support via tele-dentistry to improve quality of life.

Dentistry during and after COVID-19 Pandemic: Pediatric Considerations

This article is a rumination on the outbreak of the dreaded coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic which has engulfed both the developed and the developing countries, thereby causing widespread global public health concerns and threats to human lives. Although countries have made varied efforts, the pestilence is escalating due to the high infectivity. It is highly likely that dental professionals in upcoming days will come across COVID-19 patients and SARS-CoV-2 carriers, and hence must ensure a tactful handling of such patients to prevent its nosocomial spread. Despite the avalanche of information that has exploded in relation to this rapidly spreading disease, there is a lack of consolidated information to guide dentists regarding clinical management including precautions to take materials to use and postprocedure care, during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Available sources of information have been analyzed, while relying on peer-reviewed reports followed by information available from the most respected authoritative sources, such as WHO, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and ADA. This review aims to provide a comprehensive summary from the available literature on COVID-19, its insinuation in dentistry, recommendations that have been published, and the actual in-practice implications, so a plan can be formulated and adapted to the circumstances of each dental practice during the pandemic and the times to follow.