Dental Health Services Response to COVID-19 in Norway

Abstract

We aimed to investigate the management of urgent dental care, the perception of risk and workplace preparedness among dental staff in Norway during the COVID-19 pandemic. An electronic questionnaire regarding the strictest confinement period in Norway (13 March–17 April 2020) was distributed to dental staff. Among the 1237 respondents, 727 (59%) treated patients, of whom 170 (14%) worked in clinics designated to treat patients suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19. Out of them 88% (143) received training and 64% (103) simulation in additional infection prevention procedures, while 27 (24%) respondents reported deviation. In total, 1051 (85%) respondents perceived that dental staff had a high risk of being infected, 1039 (84%) that their workplace handled the current situation well, 767 (62%) that their workplace had adequate infection control equipment and 507 (41%) agreed that their workplace is well equipped to handle an escalation. Before an appointment, 1182 (96%) respondents always/often inquired per phone information if a patient experienced symptoms of COVID-19, and 1104 (89%) asked about a history of travel to affected areas. Twice as many patients on average per week were treated by phone than in a clinic. A lower proportion of dental staff in high incidence counties applied additional infection prevention measures compared to low and medium incidence counties. To conclude, urgent dental health care was managed relatively well in Norway. Additional training of the dental staff in adequate infection prevention and step-by-step procedures may be needed. These results may be used to improve the dental health service’s response to future outbreaks.

Perspectives from Dentists, Dental Assistants, Students, and Patients on Dental Care Adapted to the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Survey

“…Additionally, an increased workload associated with inadequate personal protection equipment (PPE), causing concerns of nosocomial transmission that may result in physical exhaustion, anxiety, and even stress [ 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 ]. Similar studies that only focused on dental assistants or students confirmed these results [ 21 , 22 ]. However, all groups dealing with patients, dentists, dental assistants, students, and patients have to follow a pandemic concept focusing on the well-being of all persons involved [ 23 ].…”

COVID-19 in Switzerland and Liechtenstein: A Cross-Sectional Survey among Dentists’ Awareness, Protective Measures and Economic Effects

“…The reasons for this and the economic impact should be further investigated. The significant patient decline is also reported in a Norwegian study; twice as many patients were treated by telephone compared to clinical care [18]. This fact is also reported from China [20], where numerous public dental hospitals stopped the elective treatment of patients and only offered emergency treatment.…”

“…However, in Switzerland, there is no additional local/national recommendation for the use of visors or headsets in the dental practice. While dentists in the present report provided similar information on protective materials in all COVID-19 prevalence areas, in Norway, a small proportion of dental staff in high prevalence areas have been equipped with additional infection prevention measures compared to those in low and medium prevalence areas [18].…”

Dental Practitioners’ Knowledge, Attitude and Practices for Mouthwash Use Amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…The level of awareness regarding the potential decontaminating role of mouthwashes (by disrupting the membrane of the virus) is alarming as only 31.5% participants endorsed with the statement while 52.3% respondents acknowledged the viricidal activity of mouthwashes. A global survey by Tariq et al reported that 27.1% dental practitioners accord with the fact that mouthwashes could reduce the risk of COVID-19 infection, 35 however, majority of healthcare workers reported for using mouthwashes prior to dental services in a study by Mouhat et al 36 The key challenge to control COVID-19 infection is to reduce the number of virus particles in the oral cavity since infected respiratory particles play a primary role in the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 infection, effective strategies to disrupt the lipid envelop of these viruses need to be established. Oral rinses exhibit a prophylactic role in decontamination of mouth and subsequently destroying the membrane.…”