Handy hints: mitigating the spread of COVID-19

Although many dental practices have been able to re-open since 8 June 2020, thousands of check-ups and routine procedures have been cancelled due to the pandemic.

The challenges of being able to ensure effective social distancing together with a shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE) initially prevented many dental practitioners from opening their practices and working, according to figures from the British Dental Association.

Almost a year on from the start of this pandemic, and dental practices now need to balance the need to provide necessary services whilst minimising the risk of virus exposure to patients and dental healthcare personnel.

SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent of COVID-19, is primarily spread between people who are in close contact with each other through respiratory droplets. Infected droplets are released when an infected person or a healthy carrier (showing no symptoms of the virus) coughs, talks or sneezes.