With dentists, auxiliaries and patients at high risk of cross-infection in a dental clinic during the Covid-19 pandemic, the Union Health Ministry has banned any emergency dental procedures in the Red zone while in Orange and Green zones such services will be allowed with restrictions.
The same will, however, still remain closed in Containment zones completely but tele-consultancy can be done for those seeking such facility.
Further, in case of emergencies, patients in this zone can seek ambulance services to travel to the nearby Covid dental facility, according to the guidelines issued by the Ministry on Tuesday.
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has further said, “Due to the high risk associated with the examination of the oral cavity, oral cancer screening under National Cancer Screening program should be deferred until new policy/guidelines are issued.”
“All routine and elective dental procedures should be deferred for a later review until new policy/guidelines are issued,” it further added.
Meanwhile, the guidelines have also identified a list of protocols which need to be followed, in the clinics and dental hospitals irrespective of the zones.
The Ministry has asked the dental clinics to ensure ventilation and air circulation with natural air using exhaust blowers, avoid ceiling fans. In case of window or split air conditioning system, they should be frequently serviced.
Use of an indoor portable air-cleaning system with HEPA filter and UV light has been advised. It also has encouraged telephonic screening as the first contact to get all necessary medical history and if the patients show symptoms of Coronavirus, the dental care appointment should be postponed for three weeks except on dental emergencies.
The dental professionals have been asked to encourage the use of Aarogya Setu App among the patients. Earlier, the ministry’s guidelines stated that dental care settings invariably carry the risk of Covid-19 infection due to the specificity of its procedures, which involves face-to-face communication with patients, and frequent exposure to saliva, blood, and other body fluids, and the handling of sharp instruments.