Assessment of dental care during the covid-19 pandemic in Turkey and future projections

Abstract

 ABSTRACTA new coronavirus disease has affected the whole world, starting from Wuhan, China at the end of 2019. The disease, caused by the pathogen of SARS-CoV-2, commonly called COVID-19, has soon passed into the history of epidemics as the most effective pandemic recently. Dentistry has also been significantly affected by the pandemic process, which had a restrictive effect on almost all aspects of social life. Dental treatments are healthcare services that have been applied very carefully in terms of the risk control of cross-infection prior to this pandemic where disinfection and sterilization rules continue to be controlled at the highest level. However, hand instruments used in most dental treatments and generating aerosol has raised concerns, particularly in diseases such as COVID-19, which increase the risk of droplet contamination. This working order is an important risk factor not only for healthcare professionals but also for the contamination of patients and the environment. In addition, the continuing pandemic process and the dynamics of the process require revision of the protocols. For this reason, each country has prepared protocols in order to maintain the dental treatments in the pandemic process in accordance with their own health care conditions and policies.This process caused the dental professionals to reconsider their routine working practices and prospectively, new protocols are recommended for dental applications. This article aims to provide a perspective evaluating the current situation and discuss additional measures to be considered during the pandemic and thereafter. KEYWORDSCoronavirus; SARS-CoV-2; COVID-19 Pandemic; Dentistry; Infection Control, Transmission.