Your browser doesn't support javascript.
Facial protection in the era of COVID-19: A narrative review.
Li, Dion T S; Samaranayake, Lakshman Perera; Leung, Yiu Yan; Neelakantan, Prasanna.
  • Li DTS; Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Dentistry, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong City, Hong Kong.
  • Samaranayake LP; College of Dental Medicine, University Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.
  • Leung YY; The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong City, Hong Kong.
  • Neelakantan P; Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Dentistry, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong City, Hong Kong.
Oral Dis ; 27 Suppl 3: 665-673, 2021 Apr.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1434803
ABSTRACT
We live in extraordinary times, where COVID-19 pandemic has brought the whole world to a screeching halt. Tensions and contradictions that surround the pandemic ridden world include the availability, and the lack thereof, various facial protection measures to mitigate the viral spread. Here, we comprehensively explore the different types of facial protection measures, including masks, needed both for the public and the healthcare workers (HCW). We discuss the anatomy, the critical issues of disinfection and reusability of masks, the alternative equipment available for the protection of the facial region from airborne diseases, such as face shields and powered air-purifying respirators (PAPR), and the skin health impact of prolonged wearing of facial protection by HCW. Clearly, facial protection, either in the form of masks or alternates, appears to have mitigated the pandemic as seen from the minimal COVID-19 spread in countries where public mask wearing is strictly enforced. On the contrary, the healthcare systems, that appear to have been unprepared for emergencies of this nature, should be appropriately geared to handle the imbalance of supply and demand of personal protective equipment including face masks. These are two crucial lessons we can learn from this tragic experience.
Subject(s)
Keywords

Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Pandemics / COVID-19 Type of study: Reviews Limits: Humans Language: English Journal: Oral Dis Journal subject: Dentistry Year: 2021 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: Odi.13460

Similar

MEDLINE

...
LILACS

LIS


Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Pandemics / COVID-19 Type of study: Reviews Limits: Humans Language: English Journal: Oral Dis Journal subject: Dentistry Year: 2021 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: Odi.13460