COVID-19: Update: News for week ending September 21
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- Published: Tuesday, 22 September 2020 08:45
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The BDA reports on the Scottish Dental Clinical Effectiveness Programme’s rapid review of the evidence related to the generation and mitigation of aerosols in dentistry. BDA Wales has conducted a telephone survey of 52 dental laboratories across Wales to ascertain their viability. From October dentists will be able to sign up to a bulletin from NHS England. Finally, guidance has been issued on re-opening open plan clinics in dental schools.
SDCEP work on aerosol generating procedures
The Scottish Dental Clinical Effectiveness Programme (SDCEP) is leading a rapid review of the evidence related to the generation and mitigation of aerosols in dentistry and the associated risk of coronavirus transmission. The findings of this review are likely to inform government policy. We are still expecting a comprehensive report covering fallow time to be published imminently.
In the meantime, SDCEP are looking for responses to their survey to better understand the current provision of AGPs in dentistry. The BDA is urging dentists complete the questionnaire which should take 10-15 minutes. Your responses will help inform policy development about the challenges faced by and will help identify any further support required. The survey will be open until the middle of next week.
Wales: New survey of dental laboratories to assess viability
BDA Wales has conducted a telephone survey of 52 dental laboratories across Wales to ascertain their viability during the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic has affected many aspects of dentistry and the repercussions for dental labs, who supply the products that dentists need to treat their patients, has not gone unnoticed. The survey confirmed our fears that dental labs have been hugely affected, with the vast majority still working reduced hours and others yet to reopen. Furthermore, numerous dental labs have expressed financial difficulties and there is anxiety that some will close as a result.
Sign up: NHS dentistry and oral health bulletin
This October, NHS England and NHS Improvement are launching a new NHS dentistry and oral health bulletin, which will include a roundup of all the latest news and important resources for anyone working in NHS dental services. They will still share important content in this bulletin, but those without an NHS contract or in private practice can also subscribe - Sign up here.
Re-opening dental schools
The Dental Schools Council and the Association of Dental Hospitals have issued a document on Guiding Principles to mitigate risk with the return of Open Plan Clinics.
It concludes that, with appropriate and planned mitigations in place, it is possible to return to the open plan clinical environment and undertake both non-aerosol and aerosol generating procedures. However, investment will be required to allow the required mitigations to be implemented across all UK and Irish Schools.
Although this guidance applies only to dental schools, some of its content may be of interest to GDPs. It can be seen at: https://www.dentalschoolscouncil.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/COVID-19-Planning-return-to-Open-Plan-Clinics-Guiding-Principles-to-mitigate-risk.pdf?fbclid=IwAR1CDKY606RQblLwJz1aormM-UIxZ7Em2qIkInf_ALDEcFXfq0o-BtuHecA
To keep up to date with developments from the BDA, dentists should visit their Coronavirus update page[i], which is available to all whether or not they are members and is continuously revised.
[i] https://bda.org/advice/Coronavirus/Pages/latest-updates.aspx
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