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. 2021 Apr 1;34(1):63-70.
doi: 10.54589/aol.34/1/063.

Endodontic treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic - perception and behaviour of dental professionals

Fabio de A Gomes  1 , Eduarda C Malhão  2 , Cláudio Maniglia-Ferreira  2 , Danilo Lf Lima  1 , Maísa Casarin  2 , Fernanda G Pappen  3
Affiliations
Free article

Endodontic treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic - perception and behaviour of dental professionals

Fabio de A Gomes et al. Acta Odontol Latinoam. .
Free article

Abstract
in English, Portuguese

This study evaluated the impact of COVID-19 on the endodontic treatment routine. It was a cross-sectional study using an online questionnaire applied to endodontists to collect information about practical modifications during endodontic treatment to protect professionals and patients against the COVID-19 outbreak. A total 1105 participants from Brazil participated in the survey. More than 90% of respondents identify the high risk of COVID-19 infection to dentists and the need to change some clinical practices. Most respondents (60.1%) are partially following social isolation. The need for a change in Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) during dental appointments was mentioned by 97.1% of respondents. The use of minimal adequate PPE during the pandemic period was associated with the area of residence and marital status of participants. Only 30% of respondents say they use the minimal adequate PPE. Most respondents will change cavity access preparation to reduce virus dissemination. Other changes in endodontic appointments were described in the survey: greater attention to biosafety measures, duration of dental appointments, and duration of intervals between appointments. Endodontists still need to identify the best arrangement for performing their procedures safely during the COVID-19 pandemic. Specific guidelines require detailed information for each specialty and its procedures.

Este estudo transversal foi realizado por meio de um questionário online. O questionário foi aplicado a endodontistas e coletou informações sobre modificações práticas durante o tratamento endodôntico para combater o surto de COVID-19 e proteger profissionais e pacientes. Um total de 1105 participantes do Brasil participaram da pesquisa. Mais de 90% dos entrevistados identificam o alto risco de infecção por COVID-19 para os dentistas e a necessidade de mudar algumas práticas clínicas. A maioria dos entrevistados (60,1%) segue parcialmente o isolamento social. A necessidade de mudanças dos Equipamentos de Proteção Individual (EPIs) durante as consultas odontológicas foi referida por 97,1% dos entrevistados. O uso de EPIs mínimos adequados durante o período pandêmico foi associado à área de residência e ao estado civil dos participantes. Apenas 30% dos participantes afirmou usar os EPIs mínimos durante a pandemia. A maioria dos entrevistados mudará a preparação do acesso à cavidade para reduzir a disseminação do vírus. Outras mudanças nas consultas endodônticas foram descritas na pesquisa: maior atenção às medidas de biossegurança, duração das consultas odontológicas e intervalos entre as consultas. Os endodontistas ainda precisam distinguir a melhor maneira para realizar seus procedimentos com segurança, durante a pandemia de COVID-19. Diretrizes específicas requerem informações detalhadas para cada especialidade e seus procedimentos.

Keywords: SARS-CoV-2; biosafety; coronavirus; dentistry; endodontics.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article

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