Biosafety conducts adopted by orthodontists

Abstract

Objective: This cross-sectional observational study was designed to assess the biosafety conducts adopted by orthodontists, and possible differences regarding training time. Methods: Both the application of methods for sterilization/disinfection of instruments and materials, and the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) were collected through questionnaires via e-mail. Results: The questionnaires were answered by 90 orthodontists with a mean age of 37.19 ± 9.08 years and mean training time of 13.52 ± 6.84 years. Regarding orthodontic pliers, 63.23% use an autoclave, except 1 who does not perform any procedure. All participants use autoclave to sterilize instruments, and 95.6% of respondents perform cleaning with chemicals prior to sterilization. Most of them (65.56%) use an autoclave to sterilize orthodontic bands, with some still associating disinfection methods, while few (18.89%) do nothing at all. There was a high incidence of the answer “nothing” for the methods used for elastic, accessories, bandages, metal springs, and arches. All respondents use mask and gloves in attendance, 78.92% use aprons, 58.92% use protective goggles, and 50.01% use cap. Training time significantly influenced (p = 0.003) only the use of glutaraldehyde for sterilization/disinfection of pliers. Conclusions: The sterilization and cleaning of pliers, instruments, and bands, besides the use of PPE, received more uniform and positive responses, while other items suggest disagreements and possible failures. Only orthodontists trained for more than 13 years choose using glutaraldehyde for pliers sterilization/disinfection, the only adopted method with a significant difference in relation to training time.

How to use laser safely in times of COVID‐19: Systematic review

“…Gonçalves et al 10 conducted a questionnaire among orthodontic surgeons and revealed that all of the respondents wore gloves and masks, but only 50% wore surgical caps and approximately 78% wore protection goggles. These data are worrying because of the high risk of contamination when health professionals’ eyes, nose, or mouth are unprotected during the performance of medical/dental procedures that generate aerosol in patients infected with SARS‐CoV‐2, there is a high risk of contamination 4–6,8,11 .…”

“…The oral cavity is the place on the body with the highest concentration of microorganisms, thus exposing the clinical environment to biological risks 1,2,5 . The clinical routine is characterized by several disease‐transmitting vehicles and high patient turnover, which imply an increasing frequency of handling biological material and the consequent need to keep the equipment and the entire care structure safe 10 . In addition to all the care required to protect the equipment and instruments used during treatment against possible biological risks, the professional and his or her team, as well as the patients, must be protected.…”

“…1,2,5 The clinical routine is characterized by several disease-transmitting vehicles and high patient turnover, which imply an increasing frequency of handling biological material and the consequent need to keep the equipment and the entire care structure safe. 10 In addition to all the care required to protect the equipment and instruments used during treatment against possible biological risks, the professional and his or her team, as well as the patients, must be protected. The use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) is essential, as are other practical changes in the adoption of biosafety measures, since the SARs-CoV2 virus is highly transmissible.…”

Anxiety and perceptions on the impact of COVID-19 pandemic among orthodontic patients visiting a tertiary care center: A Cross-sectional study

“…This shows their concern which should be addressed by the orthodontist and reassure them regarding the treatment charges. In addition, they should be made aware that if at all any extra cost is charged, it would be for personal protection equip-ment, thus ensuring safety of both patient and the doctor (Monteiro et al, 2018).…”

SARS-CoV-2 and Dentistry–Review

“…5 □ Orthodontic pliers should be sterilized. 55 □ Before sending molds to the laboratory, it is fundamental to disinfect them, as well as inform the laboratory how the disinfection was performed. 49 In addition, dental laboratories may not have knowledge about methods of disinfection, 49 so it is important for the dentist to disinfect the material received from the laboratory (e.g., dental crowns, complete dentures, etc.…”