Evaluation of the dental clinics’ function based on the checklist dental services in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Abstract Introduction: The risk of transmitting COVID-19 during dental procedures is one of the main concerns in dentistry. Given the rapid spread of the disease, the most effective way to prevent infection is to break the chain of disease transmission. The Alborz University of Medical Sciences developed and published a checklist of 46 items during the COVID-19 pandemic in April 2020. This study aimed to evaluate the principles of infection control in centers providing dental care during the COVID-19 pandemic based on the checklist prepared by Alborz University of Medical Sciences in Karaj, Iran. Method In this cross-sectional study, the number of 76 active dental clinics in the Alborz province was evaluated. The review began in June 2020 and the checklist was completed by the Alborz University of Medical Sciences team for each clinic while either the clinic manager or the clinic’s infection control team was present. Then, the adherence to the protocol was evaluated. Results Based on achieving at least 50% of the checklist score, clinics were divided into two groups: adherents and non-adherents. Out of a total of 76 clinics, 66 clinics (86/8%) followed the protocol. The highest level of adherence was related to principle number 12 (employees' restrooms are separate from patients') by a frequency of 81.6%. The lowest level was related to principle number 18 (the suspected or infected COVID-19 patients' triage and referral chart is visible to the reception personnel, and the triage is performed according to the protocol) by a frequency of 32.9%. Conclusion The results showed that most clinics followed the COVID-19 Dental Services protocol relatively well. Given the high rate of COVID-19 transmission, especially in its mutated strains, increasing the adherence level of dental clinics can be a valuable step toward reducing the transmission cycle of this disease. More frequent reviews of clinics, as well as referring non-relevant clinics to legal institutions could potentially help to reduce COVID-19 transmission, potentially.