Covid 19 has pretty much stopped Dentistry in the UK in its tracks. Not unlike the country at large. However, we must now consider how we will help our patients and clear the backlog of problems that have been building up. Dental procedures such as drilling or scaling create aerosols which are a mixture of the clean water from our lines (usually treated, distilled water) and saliva and potentially viruses like Covid 19. The concern is that these aerosols may infect the dental professionals via the mucous membranes (eyes, nose and mouth). As some people will be Covid 19 carriers who show no symptoms it is important that the risk of transmission between patients and dental professionals and vice versa...
The government announcing today that face coverings will be compulsory for travelling on public transport from June the 15th raises a number of questions that leave consumers in the dark regarding the type of mask to buy, and particularly, what all the technical jargon surrounding face masks means. In yesterday's Coronavirus briefing, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps made the following statement: "I can announce that, as of Monday 15 June, face coverings will become mandatory on public transport. But broadly, as we come through this phase, we’re doing what many other countries have asked transport users to do. And as passenger numbers increase, and we expect this trend to continue, we need to ensure every precaution is taken, on buses, trains, aircraft and ferries....
With Dentists going back to work on the 8th of June 2020 serious questions are being asked by the profession about how to protect themselves in what is an inherently face to face business with the availability of P3 masks at the top of the agenda for many practices.
