Santosh Jadhav
No one can predict the future; there is a lot of speculation about what the future holds for dentistry when the pandemic is affecting us, several optimistic predictions based on research and history. Emergence of novel human pathogens and re-emergence of several diseases are of particular concern. A novel human coronavirus initially referred to as the Wuhan coronavirus (CoV), currently designated as severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)- CoV-2, is responsible for the latest pandemic that is affecting human health and economy across the world.
The present and future of dentistryafter COVID 19 Pandemic in India
Dental practice owners now face a challenge they have not been prepared for such long lockdown situations throughout their life. No dental school or management training program could have envisioned a situation like this one, where there is a prolonged period of shut down. Given the widespread transmission of SARS-CoV-2, healthcare providers are at an increased risk of contracting the infection and becoming potential carriers of the disease. According to Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), dental health care personnel (DHCP) are placed in very high exposure risk category as dentists work in close proximity to the patient’s oral cavity and, dental procedures involve the use of rotary instruments such as handpieces and scalers, which produce aerosols. A greater understanding of the structure of the virus, modes of transmission, clinical features, and testing methods is needed that can help to form protocols for dental practices to identify cases and prevent further spread of infection to the patients and DHCP. SARS-CoV-2 is the seventh member of virus which is infecting the human beings.
Lockdown and its side effects on dental practice
As of now from 23rd march 2020, the lockdown implicated due to massive spread of Covid 19. All the dental fraternity undergo tremendous financial economical loss due to closing of the dental clinics. Since last 3 months all the dental industry including dental laboratories, dental dealers, manufactures, CBCT centres, due to lock down facing huge financial loss. As of now in current scenario, the Covid cases increasing day by day and newer patient management protocols implicated in dental practice for safety measures as well as for disinfetion purpose. The Dentist who runs their private clinic they have to buy all safety measuers equipment including PPE kit, N 95 MASK, air purifiers, temperature gun, pulse oximeter, and additional training for assistant for proper implementation of disinfectant protocols. There is huge impact on dental practice management in India due to COVID 19 infection. Patients still in dilemma whether to visit dentist or not due to fear of COVID 19.