A growing number of local dental boards and authorities around the globe are calling for dentists to reschedule elective procedures due to coronavirus. However, even if such limitations are put into place, dentists will still be seeing patients for emergency appointments. This page contains information relevant to coronavirus and dental offices.

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(July 8, 2020) In the interest of public health, the IAOMT has published a new research article entitled “COVID-19’s Impact on Dentistry: Infection Control and Implications for Future Dental Practices.” The review was written by IAOMT members, and it analyzes scientific literature about dental-specific engineering controls to mitigate infectious disease risk.

(April 13, 2020) Due to widespread shortages of personal protective equipment, the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology (IAOMT) is also raising awareness of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)’s updated guidance on alternatives to N95 masks and other supplies. Click here to access the CDC’s Interim Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations for Patients with Suspected or Confirmed Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Healthcare Settings.

(March 17, 2020) The International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology (IAOMT) is raising awareness of two new, peer-reviewed research articles related to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and dental offices. Both articles offer specific recommendations for dental professionals to implement in regard to infection control measures.

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19): Emerging and Future Challenges for Dental and Oral Medicine” was published March 12, 2020, in the Journal of Dental Research and written by researchers in Wuhan, China, based on their experiences. In addition to comparing fatality rates of COVID-19 (0.39%-4.05%) with SARS (≈10%), MERS (≈34%), and seasonal influenza (0.01%-0.17%), the article outlines recommendations for infection control in dental settings. These suggestions include the use of precheck triages, minimization of procedures that generate aerosols or stimulate saliva secretion and coughing, and utilization of rubber dams, high-volume saliva ejectors, face shields, goggles, and water spray during drilling. Click here to read the article.

Additionally, authors from the State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases & Department of Cardiology and Endodontics, West China Hospital of Stomatology, had their review titled “Transmission Routes of 2019-nCoV and Controls in Dental Practice” published on March 3, 2020, in the International Journal of Oral Science. This paper includes recommendations for dental practice infection controls such as utilization of patient evaluation, hand hygiene, personal protective measures for dental professionals, mouth rinse before dental procedures, rubber dam isolation, anti-retraction handpieces, disinfection of clinic settings, and management of medical waste. Click here to read the article.

Due to the issue of aerosol particles, a number of recommended infection control measures encouraged in these publications are aligned with the IAOMT’s Safe Mercury Amalgam Removal Technique (SMART). The IAOMT is a non-profit organization that has been dedicated to promoting education and research that protects dental patients and professionals since it was founded in 1984.

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