Dental-Clinics-Protocol for COVID-19 |DCI Guidelines

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Reviewed by, Dr.Srinivas B.D.S        References;Dental Council Of India (Dci)

    Dental-ClinicsProtocol -Under DCI Guidelines;



                                Dentists are responsible for adopting prevention and infection control measures to avoid or reduces as much as transmission of microorgonisms during any procedure in your dental practices.

                                The dental proffesion is particularly risk,due to the possibility of aerosols produced by salivary droplets or other substances. These droplets can be inhaled,come in contact with eyes , skin, hand or other mucous membranes,or other materials used during dental treatment where hands can then be contaminated.

                   The guidelines priniciples are mentioned below,

1. General instructions and instructions prior to patients followed prior to visit to dental clinics
2. Patient waiting area
3. Patient management in dental caries
4. patient exit and tum around
5. Dental practice closure instructions and dental staff protocol

GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS AND INSTRUCTIONS PRIOR TO PATIENTS;

• opening of Dental practice should be based on directions as per orders of the local administration.

• Further mention clear timings of the dental practice and donot advertise to draw many patients.

• Post a sign at the enterance to the dental practices which instructs patient having symptoms,cough ,sore throat,fever ,sneezing ,wheezing ,.please reshedule their dental appointment and meet their physician.

• Reshedule appointments if your patient have travelled outside india any COVID19 .

• Schedule minimum appointments.

• Patients should be advised that elective treatment options are severely restricted at this time and call backin 48-72 hours if their dental symptoms have not resolved.

• In case any patient need aerosol based treatment,then take detailed medical history and contact history.Follow guideliness for sample collection as per ICMR standard guideliness.

• Dont provide non-emergent or cosmetic treatment to the patients and defer the same.

Patient waiting area;

1) Prepare the waiting area, bathrooms and patient consultation rooms so that proper supplies like: 

•  Tissues
•   Alcohol-based hand rub 
•  Soap at sinks 
•  Place chairs 6 feet apart, when possible. 
•  Use barriers (like screens), if possible. 
•  If your clinic has toys, reading materials, remote controls or other communal objects, remove them or clean them regularly.
•   On a regular schedule, wipe all  touching material surface areas  with an approved surface cleaner. 
•  And to include tables, chair arms, doorknobs, light switches, hangers, and anything else with which people come in contact.
•   If surfaces are dirty, they should be cleaned using a  cleaning solution and water prior to disinfection.

2)In case of any dental care, do not forget to do a detailed examination of medical history other than COVID-19. If emergency dental care is medically necessary, complete a systematic assessment at the time of check-in to determine whether a patient should be considered a suspected or confirmed COVID-19 case.

 3. Dentists should take and maintain regularly with  strict personal protection measures and avoid or minimize operations it can be produce droplets or aerosols. Four-handed technique is beneficial for controlling infection. The use of saliva ejectors and Air purifier can reduce the production of droplets and aerosols. 

4. Perform as many tasks as possible in areas away from patients and individuals accompanying patients.

. 5. Cover your  keyboard and  computer with disposable, flexible, clear barrier (e.g. plastic wrap) and change between patients.

 6. Limit access to the operatory to the patient only when possible. Supply a masks and shields to anyone who accompanies with the patient.

 7. Workers should avoid touching their faces, including their eyes, noses, and mouths, particularly until after they have thoroughly washed their hands after completing work and/or removing PPE.

 8. Limit paperwork in the operatory as much as possible.

 9. Keep and maintain staff  level in operatory to the minimum required.

 10. Train and retrain workers on how to follow established protocols. 


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