Karachi: It is highly important for dentist to take all precautionary steps to avoid the spread of coronavirus during their practice. There are several do’s and don’ts action for doctor/dentist that should be considered while connecting with their patients.
Referring to the current situation of dental community amidst COVID-19, Dr Arshad Mahmood Malik, Principal / Dean HBS Dental College, Head of Oral and Maxillofacial surgery, President of Pakistan Health Association Chakwal expressed his views on how a dentist should continue his/ her practices in a more secured and safe environment.
He was speaking at live session organized by Dental News Pakistan. The moderator for the event was Dr Muattar Hanif.
He discussed the role of dentists in different sectors hospitals such as private and governments. He insisted that shoe of patients must be removed as this was the major transmission channel in Italy. He stressed that this practice is neglected in Pakistan.
“Consider every patient as suspect for positive COVID-19 and take all the necessary actions,” Dr Arshad Mahmood Malik
While sharing many tips, Dr Arshad highlighted as masks and sanitizers are common. Dentist must also consider some basic steps such as patient should not open the door by their hand. Proper chlorination should be done after every surgery and break of 1 hour should be done after every appointment.
Dr Arshad stressed that dentist must avoid aerosols at the time of surgery and use high power suction and try to avoid the use of air turbine system.
In the end, he advised listeners to check temperature of everyone present in the clinic using ultraviolet thermometers and properly discard the things after surgery in sealed polythene bag. He also thanked the organizers for arranging such great initiative.
-DN Report
