Pivoting Dental Practice Management during the COVID-19 Pandemic-A Systematic Review

Area of Science:

• Dental Public Health
• Infection Control
• Epidemiology

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic significantly disrupted global dental practices.
• Cross-infection prevention became a paramount concern in dentistry.
• Dental professionals experienced psychological distress due to the pandemic.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify global infection control measures implemented in dental practices.
• To evaluate the psychological impacts of the pandemic on dental professionals.
• To synthesize findings on adapting dental practice to new health norms.

Main Methods:

• A sequential systematic literature search was performed across multiple databases (PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus, etc.).
• The search covered the period from December 2019 to April 2020.
• Inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied to select 13 relevant articles for final review.

Main Results:

• Key infection control measures include telephone triage, enhanced hand hygiene, and personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Recommendations for managing elective treatments and patient flow were identified, including ventilation and physical distancing.
• Psychological distress among dental professionals was linked to medical conditions and self-efficacy.

Conclusions:

• The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated significant adaptations in dental practice management worldwide.
• Evidence-based safety practices and multisectoral collaboration are crucial for patient and professional safety.
• Further research is needed to refine and validate new protocols in dental settings.