We’ll be discussing the: 

• PAST: Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on dentistry. 
• PRESENT: The transition to recovery.  
• FUTURE: Plans going ahead?  
• Plus, tips on how to use this extra time wisely! 

PAST: Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on dentistry 

As a third-year dental student, I had just begun to come to grips with patient clinics. I had been in my own world: making treatment plans for patients, calculating the number of dentures I wanted to make, or the number of cavities I wanted to restore.  

But then, life as we knew it, ceased to exist. The world came to a sudden halt.  

Like all dental students, my thoughts had become engaged in whether or not we would be returning to University. In a time where certainty and routine ruled our lives, COVID had plunged us all into an abyss of uncertainty. The consequences were alarming; a lack of clinical experience and loss of manual dexterity, and a feeling of anxiety around adapting to a new normal.  

It doesn’t come as a surprise that dental professionals are highly susceptible to infection due to the close proximity and invasive nature associated with the job. A main factor being the practice of using instruments that generate aerosols usually contaminated with blood, viruses, bacteria, and fungi.  

Thus, dentistry had a pivotal role in reducing the spread of the virus. 

NHS’s initial view was to continue dental care for asymptomatic patients.  

However, evidence emerged to show that asymptomatic infected patients can also transmit the disease.    

All routine dental care was suspended.  

Since this, dentists have been providing advice and care remotely and services have been rapidly re-organised with prioritisation to urgent dental care with appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).

PRESENT: The transition to recovery

Dental practices began opening from Monday 8^th June 2020 for pre-booked appointments. 

This occurred relatively slowly as practices had the responsibility to ensure they had the necessary PPE and infection prevention and control (IPC) in place before seeing patients. 

Remote consultations for all patients are continuing to be provided in the first instance. This involves identifying which patients will require face-to-face care, focusing on urgent and emergency care, and those that can be managed over the phone with Advice, Analgesia, and Antimicrobials (AAA approach).  

Unsurprisingly, there have been a number of changes to practices as measures have been put in place to deliver care safely. Examples include, observing social distancing, a one-way system for patient flow, and keeping everything clean and clutter-free. 

Many recent dental foundation trainees have taken up the role of helping triage, working in urgent dental care centres, and on the front-line in hospitals.

SDCEP resuming general dental services

FUTURE: Plans going ahead? 

The aim, with time, is to provide the full range of dental care.  

However, this depends on several factors such as availability of PPE, capability, and capacity, to name a few. 

If rates of infection continue to decline, I should be starting University in September, mainly working on phantom heads, and carrying out non-aerosol generating procedures on patients.  

Weekends and evenings may end up being utilised, to make up for the lost experience. 

How can we make the most of this situation?

There are many ways we can turn the current situation into a beneficial experience.

Some of my suggestions:

• 1) Webinars: This is a great way to revisit topics or to gain knowledge on areas not covered in lectures at Dental School! (Look out for some amazing webinars providing tips for the SJT)

• 2) Podcasts: This is a great way to catch up on dental topics and not feel restricted to your desk! You can go on a walk, sunbathe (if we get some sun in the UK), or bake while learning!

• 3) Think about the things you would have learned or carried out. Try and find other ways to explore your knowledge in those areas. For example, if you missed out on making a denture for your patient, use this time to refresh your memory on dentures!

• 4) Reflect on yourself and consider gaps in your CV. Use this time to take part in competitions, network with others, and take on voluntary roles.

Most importantly, look after yourself! We are in unprecedented times with a cloudy future based on infection rates. Be kind to yourself and take this time to also focus on you.

Personally, I took this time to relax and engage in even the simplest of activities, which I hadn’t taken time out for in a while, such as exercising!

What activities have you taken up or enjoyed doing?

By Maryam Chowdry