Geneva (AFP)

Avoiding procedures that generate aerosols, sorting patients ... Worried about the impact of Covid-19 on dental care across the world, the World Health Organization has enacted some principles for professionals to "minimize" the risks of transmission.

"The WHO suggests avoiding or minimizing all procedures generating aerosols", very widespread in dentistry (high speed equipment, ultrasound, spray, etc.), said Tuesday Dr. Benoît Varenne, of the Health Program oral health care provider during a video conference.

In its recommendations to health authorities and sector personnel, the UN organization provides technical advice to minimize these procedures when they are essential (rapid suction, adequate air conditioning, etc.).

However, the organization also emphasizes the importance of dental care, too often overlooked by health because "expensive" and "not included in universal health care in many countries", according to dr Varenne.

"Dental disease is a neglected health burden in many countries. It is the source of suffering, social isolation, and even death", like noma, a form of facial gangrene that mainly affects malnourished children , poor general health and poor oral hygiene, said the head of the WHO Oral Health Program.

"It is estimated that nearly 3.5 billion people are affected by oral diseases. More than 500 million children have cavities," he recalled.

However, in this already difficult context, "the oral health services are strongly affected" by the Sars-Cov-2 pandemic, many having closed in the face of the risks incurred by the staff of the sector, while the demand for care fell. with patients "afraid" to resort to it.

"75% of WHO member states responded in a survey that their dental services had been partially or completely disrupted."

On the strength of this observation, the WHO recommends setting up remote consultation systems to judge the urgency of care, suggesting that “non-essential” (checks, cleaning, preventive care) “be delayed”.

It also requires communication on the hygiene essential to good dental health (brushing, nutrition, warnings against sugar, tobacco, alcohol) and to observe strict protocols for physical consultations (distancing, equipment, sterilization and systematic disinfection between two patients, no accompanying person in the office).

© 2020 AFP