While the coronavirus caused havoc in every industry possible, it also took a significant toll on dental practice. The mouth is the primary source for the spread of infection. However, it got hidden behind the masks, and the dentists refrained from performing procedures that involved aerosol spread, increasing the transmission of infection.
The pandemic is not over yet
COVID-19 is still upon us. However, the restrictions are easing down, and with more and more countries normalizing things, we are on the brink of waving our goodbyes to the pandemic. But the question is whether we will go back to our good old days?
Here are three ways COVID-19 changed the future of dentistry for good.
Enhanced infection control
If there is one thing, COVID taught us is to take care of our hygiene and minimize contact. During the pandemic, the increased need for diligent infection control helped the dentists incorporate better hygiene practices, including frequent hand washing, sanitizing, and preventing contact even with gloves on. Dentistry saw a significant shift in routine practices, improving the patients' overall safety and demonstration of visible infection control.
The need for PPE
While personal protective gear is necessary for a dental practitioner, the entire idea was underestimated before the rise of COVID-19. While the conventional PPE can be quite uncomfortable and challenging to carry in daily practice, the new innovative and creative pieces have provided grave comfort while improving the overall aesthetic of the look. Now PPE is considered more convenient for daily dental procedures, and a combination of creative spirit and clinician's expertise has improved the quality of life for dentists on the chair.
Teledentistry
COVID-19 paved the way for teledentistry. With the lockdown in place and no possible way to conduct dental treatments, the community took advantage of the IT and created platforms to cater to their patients remotely. The newer policies also helped refine the concept of teledentistry, and now patients can get consultations without having to visit the dentists.
