LEIPZIG, Germany: a group of researchers from the World Health Organization will head to Wuhan in January to conduct research to know more about the origin of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. After 12 months of the first case that was reported to WHO, we still don’t know much about it. The 2020 pandemic is the most challenging year for dentistry, causing both detrimental effects on occupational and financial aspects. However, dentists and dental associations responded with solidarity and determination to continue serving patients with a commitment that they will stand up for dental care all throughout.
The Dental Tribune International reported about the SARS-CoV-2 on 5 February. Following that, Align Technology had said that they were expecting to sell fewer aligners in China after the outbreak. Less than one week later—DTI reported on early public and oral health responses to the outbreak, pointing out that dental events might be affected in the Asian continent. The International Dental Exhibition and Meeting (IDEM) that was to be held on 24 to 26 April was put on hold as the pandemic situation arose.
After the announcement made by IDEM, international dental events that are scheduled were postponed. EXPODENTAL fixtures that were set in Madrid, Spain, and Rimini, Italy were canceled. Other events such as KRAKDENT International Dental Trade Fair in Poland, European Aligner Society Congress in Malta were also canceled. These cancellations just manifested how the virus affected dental teams and the whole dental industry across the world.
Safeguard measures were done by the European Union to secure personal protective equipment supply chains. In mid-March, dentists were affected directly by the global shortage of surgical masks, specifically in countries such as Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, and some parts of the United States. Australian Dental Association Deputy CEO Eithne Irving said in a statement that the association has been taking steps to ensure that dental services will carry on. However, by early April, dental clinics were closed when the governments suspended elective dental care.
DTI’s Nathalie Schuller conducted interviews with dentists around the world to assess the effects of the closures of practice. Dr. Miguel Stanley, a dentist from Lisbon said that he had his clinic closed even before it became obligatory. He said that he felt that it is their responsibility to help in combating the spread of the virus. Dr. Mauro Labanca, a dentist who lives in Milan said that smaller dental clinics might not survive the closures. Dr. Irineu Gregnanin Pedron, a key opinion leader from Sao Paulo said that since their clinic was closed, patients were advised to go to the emergency room because there is no way for them to help them with their problems.
In May, dental companies began to account for the cost of practice closures. Stanley M. Bergman, CEO of Henry Schein said that given the severity of the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, he would consider this year as the most challenging moment in modern history for everyone. However, innovations such as online educational offerings recorded a huge number of visits during the first weeks of the pandemic.
After some time, dental clinics began to operate and the focus of oral health providers shifted to providing dental teams with the most updated dentistry guidelines, PPE sourcing, SARS-CoV-2 testing, and development of vaccines. Governments and health bodies began to assess the negative effects of the suspension of oral care across the work. Alarming reports surfaced, prompting concerned bodies to reassess the importance of oral health in the pandemic.
Thousands of healthcare workers have died because of COVID-19. Dentistry was considered a high-risk profession during the pandemic. However, strict guidelines and prevention measures that were in place in dental clinics prevented transmission. A record of new infections continue to be recorded across different countries, dental practices operated supported by the calls by dentists to manifest the importance of oral care during the pandemic.
Dentsply Sirona CEO Donald M. Casey asserted the importance of oral health in bringing about total health. He said that it is absurd for one to not realise the importance of expertise in the general healthcare setting. This assertion has been echoed by dentists and dental associations alike across the world.
As 2020 ends, the impact of the pandemic on the dental industry cannot be denied after all. Dental students, for instance, reported concerns about their lack of clinical skills following the closures of universities. Their concern about whether their competencies are adequate for them to fully practice as a dental professional. Despite these concerns, the development of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines and the growing online dental education are two of the positive signs that dental teams should hold on to in 2021.
