Managing the Oral Health of Cancer Patients During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Perspective of a Dental Clinic in a Cancer Center

Abstract

The practice of dentistry has been dramatically altered by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Given the close person-to-person contact involved in delivering dental care and treatment procedures that produce aerosols, dental healthcare professionals including dentists, dental assistants and dental hygienists are at high risk of exposure. As a dental clinic in a comprehensive cancer center, we have continued to safely provide medically necessary and urgent/emergent dental care to ensure that patients can adhere to their planned cancer treatment. This was accomplished through timely adaptation of clinical workflows and implementation of practice modification measures in compliance with state, national and federal guidelines to ensure that risk of transmission remained low and the health of both immunocompromised cancer patients and clinical staff remained protected. In this narrative review, we share our experience and measures that were implemented in our clinic to ensure that the oral health needs of cancer patients were met in a timely manner and in a safe environment. Given that the pandemic is still on-going, the impact of our modified oral healthcare delivery model in cancer patients warrants continued monitoring and assessment.

The Impact of the First Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Providing Special Care Dentistry: A Survey for Dentists

“…Numerous guidelines have been published for providing dental care during the COVID-19 era [ 20 ]. Although most share common proposals, a number of the guidelines incorporate peculiarities directed at specific groups, such as immunocompromised individuals with cancer [ 21 ] and those with congenital bleeding disorders [ 22 ]. Many of these protocols are unrealistic, perhaps due to the lack of evidence-based research on their efficacy [ 20 ].…”

Pedagogy and innovative care tenets in COVID-19 pandemic: An enhancive way through Dentistry 4.0

“… [ [83] , [84] , [85] , [86] ] 14 Best dental practice •Teledentistry is a cost-effective way to remotely communicates with the patient. •It is a better way to improve communication by discussing in the online platform •These technologies seem the best tool for virtual meetings and practices [ [87] , [88] , [89] ] 15 Teaching and education •Holography is a better tool for the teaching, learning and training process •This helps to improve the planning of the entire treatment process •Technology like virtual reality can provide better information to the doctors and patient •Doctors can now visualise patient dentistry data in 3D form [ [90] , [91] , [92] , [93] , [94] ] 16 Patient record keeping for future learning •Digital technologies used in Dentistry 4.0 is used to save patient record with their detailed profile •This helps to improve the outcome during treatment in future [ [95] , [96] , [97] ] 17 Craniofacial fracture detection •AI is used to detect the fracture in the mouth and other hard tissues •It is better used to assess risk and prediction of patient outcomes [ [98] , [99] , [100] , [101] ] 18 Robotics enabled surgery •Robotic technology is introduced in dentistry to perform surgery •This technology improves performance during total knee and hip replacement •It is superior to other conventional technique which reduces blood loss and time while performing an operation [ [102] , [103] , [104] , …”

Making it easier to be a patient in times of a pandemic

“…Much attention has been paid to the precautions for protecting students, faculty, staff, and patients during treatment, including triage and procedures and barriers that ensure safe distancing. [1][2][3] The University of the Pacific, Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry has adhered to strict state and county guidelines and informed patients of these protocols as shown in Table 1. Nevertheless, we observed a 40% disruption in mid-treatment for endodontic, fixed, and removable prosthodontic care.…”