IDA issues COVID appropriate guidelines for Dental professionals.
New Delhi: The Indian Dental Association (IDA) has recommended preventative measures for dental professionals to minimize transmission of SARS-CoV-2 through contact and dental procedures. The fresh guidelines by IDA are intended towards improvement in infection control, risk assessment, and disease management.
Dental care invariably carry the risk of COVID-19 infection due to the specificity of its procedures. There is a possibility of both direct transmission (cough, sneeze, and droplet inhalation) during face-to-face communication with patients, as well as contact transmission (exposure to saliva, blood, and other body fluids, and the handling of sharp instruments).
Aerosol (particles of respirable size, <10 μm) production during the use of the rotary and surgical instruments is unique to the majority of dental procedures. These instruments produce a visible spray that can contain particle droplets of water, saliva, blood, microorganisms, and other debris. Particles of droplets and aerosols are small enough to stay airborne for an extended period before they settle on environmental surfaces or enter the respiratory tract. Thus, the 2019-nCoV has the potential to spread through droplets and aerosols from infected individuals in dental clinics.
Wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before and after contact with patients, body fluids, contaminated instruments, and surfaces, etc.
Respiratory Hygiene and Cough Etiquette
Persons with respiratory symptoms should:
- Cover their nose and mouth when coughing/sneezing with tissue or mask,
- Provide tissues and no-touch receptacles to throw away used tissues and offering face masks to patients who are coughing.
- Dispose of used tissues and masks, and perform hand hygiene after contact with respiratory secretions.
- Dental personnel should use N95 respirators or respirators that offer a higher level of protection instead of a facemask when performing or present for an aerosol-generating procedure.
Waste Disposal
- Ensure safe waste management.
- Treat waste contaminated with blood, body fluids, secretions, and excretions as clinical waste, in accordance with local regulations. Human tissues and laboratory waste that is directly associated with specimen processing should also be treated as clinical waste. Discard single-use items properly.
Patient Care Equipment
Offices also should follow routine cleaning and disinfection strategies used during flu season.
- Handle equipment soiled with blood, body fluids, secretions, and excretions in a manner that prevents skin and mucous membrane exposures, contamination of clothing, and transfer of pathogens to other patients or the environment.
- Clean, disinfect, and reprocess reusable equipment appropriately before use with another patient.
Train and Educate Personnel
- Provide task-specific education and training on preventing transmission of infectious agents, including refresher training.
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