Dental Patient Management in the Context of the COVID-19 Pandemic: Current Literature Mini-Review

Abstract

Background: Considering dental data gain associated with COVID-19 in the last few months of 2020, it is highly important to provide an assertive critical literature review with the categorization and systematization of available findings. Objective: The purpose of this article is to shed light on the concerns of dentists who provide treatment of children and adults during the pandemic of COVID-19. Methods: The search for relevant publications related to the objective topic was done via the Google Scholar engine with the use of next keywords: “dentistry”, “coronavirus”, “COVID-19”, “dental treatment”. All collected articles were processed using content-analysis principles with further systematization and categorization of obtained data in Microsoft Excel 2019 software (Microsoft Office, 2019). Results: Overview of trans-national guidelines considering COVID-19 prevention within dental care conditions could be categorized into the next few aspects: elective pattern of dental care, postpone dental treatment, screening algorithms through telecommunication and use of specialized PPE. Under the emergency mode of dental care, there are three basic P’s that should be considered during every dental procedure: patient’s self-care, prophylaxis and prioritization of pathology elimination approaches. Conclusion: Dentists should be fully informed and supported with CDC and WHO guidelines and recommendations, but also with national and regional legislation act related to control of dental care provision during COVID-19 epidemy. Changes in the general dental practice during the post-COVID era are inevitable, but those represent normal development and recovery of the dental field after pandemic mode.