Challenges for the dental radiology clinic in times of the COVID-19 pandemic

  • PDF / 383,242 Bytes
  • 2 Pages / 595.276 x 790.866 pts Page_size
  • 88 Downloads / 167 Views

DOWNLOAD

REPORT


LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Challenges for the dental radiology clinic in times of the COVID‑19 pandemic Paulo Victor Teixeira Doriguêtto1 · Julia Pereira Americano1 · Karina Lopes Devito2  Received: 28 May 2020 / Accepted: 12 June 2020 © Japanese Society for Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology and Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2020

Abstract This letter addresses the challenges for the dental radiology clinic in times of the COVID-19 pandemic. It highlights the use of teleradiography and mobile devices, as well as the proper care in disinfecting these equipments. As there are still no specific therapies for COVID-19, biosafety measures that promote containment and prevent the spread of the virus are crucial to stop the outbreak and control a possible new infectious peak. Keywords  COVID-19 · Coronavirus · Dental radiology The new coronavirus has caused negative impacts and paralyzed professional activities considered to be at high risk of contamination worldwide. Due to the large release of aerosols from dental procedures, dentistry, in the vast majority of countries, has been restricted to urgent and emergency care, such as odontogenic infections or trauma [1]. For a complementary diagnostic, in these cases, imaging exams are often necessary. Thus, the use of extraoral images, such as panoramic radiography or cone beam computed tomography, has been recommended. When intraoral imaging is required, sensors must be two-layer barriered to prevent perforation and cross-contamination [2]. It has also been proposed that dental radiology clinics should preferably use teleradiology or work flow with digital radiography. Work flow with digital radiography is understood as the process of the acquisition of radiographic images, written radiology reports and sending the respective images through online platforms, enabling the clinician to receive the digital image on his cell phone, computer or similar. The justification is that due to this modality, there is less risk of dissemination and contamination by harmful agents,

* Karina Lopes Devito [email protected] 1



Master’s Program in Dentistry, School of Dentistry, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora, MG, Brazil



Department of Dental Clinic, School of Dentistry, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Campus Universitário, s/n, Juiz de Fora, MG 36036‑900, Brazil

2

considering that in the traditional work flow the exam passes through several hands until it reaches the clinician [3]. In fact, digital images benefit communication and the exchange of information between professionals. Mobile devices (MD) are increasingly having their routine use extrapolated and being used as an important tool aid in the areas of education and health, including dentistry [4–6]. It is also known that the evaluation of the radiographic image from these devices, such as desktop, laptop, tablet or smartphone that, although have different screen sizes and resolution, do not compromise the diagnostic accuracy [7, 8]. However, it is necessary precaution when using MD in the clinica