Delay
routine dental checkups, WHO urges, until COVID risk is
known
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[August 12, 2020]
By Stephanie Nebehay
GENEVA (Reuters) - Dental patients and
staff need to be protected from any potential infection by
aerosol-generating procedures, the World Health Organization (WHO) said
on Tuesday, as dentists return to work in areas where the COVID-19
pandemic is easing.
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There is currently no data on the spread of coronavirus from the
dentist's chair, it said, calling for more research into common
procedures that produce tiny floating particles that may cause
infection if inhaled.
These include three-way air/water spray, ultrasonic cleaning
equipment that removes deposits from the tooth surface, and
polishing, the WHO said in new guidance.
"WHO guidance recommends in case of community transmission to give
priority to urgent or emergency oral cases, to avoid or minimise
procedures that may generate aerosol, prioritise a set of clinical
interventions that are performed using an instrument and of course
to delay routine non-essential oral health care," Benoit Varenne, a
WHO dental officer, told a news briefing.
He added: "The likelihood of COVID-19 being transmitted through
aerosol, micro-particles or airborne particles ... today I think is
unknown, it's open to question at least. This means that more
research is needed."
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The WHO last month released general guidelines on the transmission of the
coronavirus which acknowledged some reports of airborne transmission, but
stopped short of confirming that the virus spreads through the air.
Dental facilities must have adequate ventilation to reduce the risk of the virus
spreading in closed settings, it said on Tuesday.
"We think that the most pressing issue is related to the availability of
essential personal protective equipment, PPE, for all health care personnel
undertaking or assisting in the clinical procedures," Varenne said.
(Story corrects to fix headline)
(Reporting by Stephanie Nebehay; Editing by Nick Macfie)
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