NO, you should not delay your periodontal maintenance!
Yes, dentistry is safe!
2020… What a year… Well, it’s finally over and there is one thing I guess everyone agrees with, we’ve all been through more than enough challenges!
I’m sure none of you ever imagined you would live through a world pandemic! And that dentistry… yes DENTISTRY would be deemed unessential !!! Indeed, our profession has consistently been portrayed negatively in a variety of ways throughout history, but unessential? Now that’s too much! It is time the public gives us the value we deserve as health professionals, it is time to put oral health in the spotlight!
The link between periodontal health and systemic health is no longer a hypothesis. Active periodontal disease and the increased risk for respiratory conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pneumonia, and lung function has been extensively documented hence there is biological plausibility for a direct link between periodontitis and more severe COVID-19-related pulmonary problems.
“Elevated interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels have been linked to significantly higher risk for pulmonary complications and increased need for mechanical ventilation in COVID-19 patients. Dental professionals play a significant role because periodontitis can increase IL-6 levels locally and systemically.” -Molayem et al 2020
It is clear that periodontal treatment can have a very positive effect on systemic inflammation, and the importance of oral hygiene and periodontal health for respiratory conditions and COVID-19 should not be underestimated. The American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) has consistently stressed the importance of maintaining periodontal health during the COVID-19 outbreak. But is it safe to go to the Dental office in the middle of a pandemic????
Yes, it is safe to visit your dental office now. It was previously assumed dental health providers would be at an increased risk of infection due to their proximity to patients and exposure to aerosol-generating procedures (AGP), but to the surprise of many, the dental office may as well be one of the safest places for you to be in a pandemic.
Dentists and Dental Hygienists are uniquely experienced in infection control and other safety measures to protect themselves and their patients from disease exposure. Dental practices adhere to strict IPAC regulations and have always been extremely safe environments. During the pandemic, with most practices implementing enhanced infection control procedures; less than 1% of dental professionals report COVID-19 positivity.
This shows that the use of the CDC’s currently recommended infection prevention and control procedures in dental offices is more than enough to ensure a safe environment for both the patient and the health professional in the face of the pandemic.
It is vitally important for patients to realize that it is safe and necessary to visit their dental professionals.
And when it comes to IPAC and dental disposables, we’ve got your back! RODODONTO - Your Dental Supplies Experts. If you are not sure if you are fully IPAC compliant contact us we can help you!
-Dr Rodrigo Saraiva Haddad
Rododonto Supplies is your one-stop-shop for all your dental disposable needs including infection prevention and control. As a leading Dental Supply Store, we not only provide our customers with authentic products at incomparable prices, we also help you make the best use of them through unique education and training programs. Fueled by our commitment to customer satisfaction, we go above and beyond in supporting our customers and ensure that the purchase and user experience exceeds expectations.
References:
Molayem, Shervin & Pontes, Carla. (2020). The Mouth-COVID Connection: Il-6 Levels in Periodontal Disease -Potential Role in COVID-19-Related Respiratory Complications. Journal - California Dental Association. (epub ahead of print). 10.35481/jcda-48-10-01.
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