Evaluation of Dental Practices Changes During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Brazil.

Dentists are healthcare professionals who are at high risk of infection and transmission of the coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19). The primary objective of the present study was to evaluate the changes in clinical practice made by Brazilian dentists during the COVID-19 pandemic. From June 22 to July 13, 2020, an online questionnaire was sent to dentists using Google Forms. After providing consent, 1,178 dentists answered questions regarding their knowledge and clinical experiences related to COVID-19. Data were analyzed using Chi-square, Fisher's exact, or Kruskal-Wallis tests, with a significance level of 5%. Brazilian dentists significantly changed their routine dental practices. Biosafety measures were added in their offices by 98% of the dentists, increasing operating costs for 88.3% of dentists. Greater discomfort due to the increase in personal protection equipment (PPE) worn during the pandemic was reported by 58.6%. Furthermore, 84.2% reduced heir hours of service. It was found that the dentists decreased their workload, used additional PPE, and took additional biosafety measures.

Dental unit waterline management: historical perspectives and current trends.

Interest in and concern about the biofilms that occur in dental waterlines have been increasing in recent years. Dental unit waterlines harbor considerable amounts of bacteria that are derived from the biofilm on the inner surface of these lines. This continuous reservoir of bacteria carries the potential of causing infection to patients and dental workers. The majority of dental procedures require the use of water for cooling instruments, irrigation, and oral rinsing, so it is extremely important that the water used in oral procedures is of a high quality. The present study illustrates the conditions in waterline tubing that favor development of biofilms, and discusses the level of risk that such microbial growth poses for both dental professionals and their patients. The different methods to circumvent this problem are reviewed, and the recent recommendations that should be adopted in the dental clinic to provide the patients with water of acceptable microbiological standards are discussed.

Improved compliance with recommended infection control practices in the dental office between 1994 and 1995.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate changes in Ontario dentists' infection control practices between 1994 and 1995. METHODS: Data from responses of 4003 dentists to a 1994 survey and responses of 987 dentists to a 1995 survey were compared by using descriptive statistics from all respondents and McNemar's test for paired data from those participating in both surveys. RESULTS: Response rates were 70% (1994) and 62% (1995). There were improvements in reports of routine use of gloves (92% to 94%); masks (73% to 79%); and protective eyewear (83% to 84%); vaccination for hepatitis B virus (HBV) or naturally acquired immunity of dentists (93% to 94%); HBV vaccination of clinical staff (64% to 77%); heat sterilization of handpieces (83% to 95%); and no extra precautions for patients with HIV (13% to 48%). Pairwise comparison of data for 788 dentists participating in both surveys showed statistically significant increases in reports of all practices except use of protective eyewear. The 1995 follow-up data also indicated low compliance with handwashing (74% before treating each patient; 62% after removing gloves); flushing water lines after treating each patient (54%); and using postexposure protocol for needlesticks and cuts (36%). CONCLUSIONS: Dentists' reports of compliance with recommended infection control practices and universal precautions against HBV and HIV infection increased between 1994 and 1995, but most dentists apparently have not adopted universal precautions. More education is needed to promote universal precautions, HBV vaccination for clinical staff, handwashing, and postexposure protocol.