More than nine in ten periodontists have adapted their clinical protocols since the COVID-19 pandemic began, according to a survey conducted by the European Federation of Periodontology. (Image: dimaychuvakov/Shutterstock)
BRUSSELS, Belgium: More than a year into the COVID-19 pandemic, its seismic impact on different elements of the dental profession is becoming clearer. In order to find out how it affected the workflows of periodontists and dental hygienists, the European Federation of Periodontology (EFP) launched a survey back in May 2020 that invited these specialists to share their experiences. The EFP has now unveiled the preliminary findings of its investigation, and more detailed analysis will be published in the coming months.
The survey was made accessible through the EFP’s website, and a total of 798 periodontists and 337 dental hygienists participated. Questions covered a range of topics including changes to clinical protocols, prioritisation of treatment, precautionary measures being taken and the respondents’ opinions on the potential long-term economic consequences of the pandemic.
Prof. Filippo Graziani, chair of the EFP European Project Committee. (Image: EFP)
According to the association, 91% of periodontists reported having adapted their clinical protocols since the pandemic began, and 46% stated that they were no longer providing implant treatment during this time. Of these respondents, 82% said that they continued to offer supportive periodontal therapy (SPT), and of those who did not do so, more than half offered telephonic support to affected patients. Looking forward, 36% of periodontists agreed that approaches to periodontal treatment would need to be rethought in order to decrease the risk of contagion for patients and healthcare workers. More than half said that they anticipated that relationships with patients would change in the future, and 48% of these believe that patients will need to be reassured regarding the safety of periodontal procedures.
Among the dental hygienists surveyed, 94% said that their clinical protocols had changed owing to COVID-19, and four in five reported that they measured the body temperature of patients prior to treatment. Meanwhile, 86% stated that they interviewed or examined patients regarding potential SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Overall, 3% of respondents reported that they had been infected with SARS-CoV-2.
“Our survey clearly indicates how quickly the periodontal community adapted to the pandemic while still managing to deliver proper treatment with safety maximised for their teams, their patients and themselves,” Prof. Filippo Graziani, chair of the EFP European Project Committee, told DTI.
Further in-depth analysis of the survey results is set to appear in the next issue of the EFP’s magazine Perio Insight, the association noted.
The COVID-19 recovery rate in GCC countries is significantly higher than the global average, according to new research. An average of 81.4 per cent of cases...
During the CAPP Live Stream Dental Meeting last April, acting moderator of the online conference, Dr Çagdas Kislaoglu interviewed Dr Christian Coachman on ...
KRIENS, Switzerland: During the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, the dental profession forms one of the most threatened groups. Close contact with patients, ...
As precautionary measures are adapted across different professions in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak, dentists are being extra cautious to protect ...
Align Technology, a leading global medical device company that designs, manufactures, and sells the Invisalign system of clear aligners, iTero intraoral ...
SAN JOSE, Calif., U.S.: In today’s hyper-connected world, customer experience has the power to make or break a business. According to a study referenced ...
Beverly Hills Formula has been working hard to provide premium quality oral care products for the dental sector through their range of whitening toothpastes...
CAPP (Centre for Advanced Professional Practices) organises its events online and in a digitised format. This allows dental professionals around the world ...
Education
Live webinar Fri. 19 July 2024 4:00 am UAE (Dubai)
Dental Tribune MEA recently had an opportunity to speak with Markus Sebastian, Senior Vice President EEMA at Align Technology, to discuss the company’s ...
Simon Campion spoke with DTMEA at the 2024 DS World Dubai earlier this year to discuss insights gained from his first year as President and CEO of Dentsply ...
Last April, in Dubai, UAE, CAPP platform – the local leader in contributing dental education in collaboration with the Remedico.app – the dental clinic ...
To post a reply please login or register