Changing paradigm of dentistry: Innovations and management in INHS Sanjivani during pandemic crisis

Abstract

Introduction: March 11, 2020, when the WHO announced the COVID-19 as a pandemic, the whole world went into a panic. This was more so among the health workers and even higher among the dental health-care providers as we are at the highest risk of infection inherently as we are in close proximity with the patients fluids and have multiple procedures which cause aerosol generation. However, as time passed and more understanding of the disease was obtained, guidelines were devised based on these findings. Objective: To emphasise the protocols and procedures required to be followed to safely carry out the procedures in the background of COVID 19 pandemic. This article looks at how the dental center at INHS Sanjivani has managed to keep the outpatient department (OPD) running and at the same time has successfully prevented patient to patient and patient to health worker spread of COVID-19. Conclusion: The precautionary procedures and procedures instituted resulted in reducing the chances of spread of the pandemic. These protocols may be useful for application in future with an aim to reduce spread through the dental operatory while providing quality care.