REVIEW ARTICLE


https://doi.org/10.5005/jp-journals-10015-1751
World Journal of Dentistry
Volume 11 | Issue 4 | Year 2020

Precautionary, Preventive Measures and Alternatives in Pediatric Dental Practice during and Post-COVID-19

Nandlal Bhojraj1, Raghavendra Shanbhog2, Anoop N Kochouseph3, Ragavee Veeramani4, Amira Imtiaz5

1–5Department of Pediatric and Preventive Dentistry, JSS Dental College and Hospital, JSS Academy of Higher Research, Mysore, Karnataka, India

Corresponding Author: Nandlal Bhojraj, Department of Pediatric and Preventive Dentistry, JSS Dental College and Hospital, JSS Academy of Higher Research, Mysore, Karnataka, India, Phone: +91 98805 67890, e-mail: dr_nandlal@yahoo.com

How to cite this article Bhojraj N, Shanbhog R, Kochouseph AN, et al. Precautionary, Preventive Measures and Alternatives in Pediatric Dental Practice during and Post-COVID-19. World J Dent 2020;11(4):338–344.

Source of support: Nil

Conflict of interest: None

ABSTRACT

Aim: To review on the current preventive and nonaerosol-generating practices available for a pediatric dentist.

Background: Life of a dentist revolves around air turbine drills and ultrasonic devices. COVID-19 spreads through respiratory droplets and through contact routes. Dental instruments generate high amounts of aerosols with contaminated saliva and blood, which would be hazardous to the dentist and the other healthcare workers and which can have serious implications on cross-infection and disease transmission. Air turbine drills help in improved efficiency and reduced chairside time. Until it is safe to go back to full-fledged air turbine tooth preparation, there are some alternative options that can be used to treat patients, which could avoid the use of such aerosol generation.

Review results: The treatment modalities include instruments and devices that do not make use of air turbine drills and hence can be called nonaerosol-generating procedures. Some of the procedures include hand scaling, atraumatic restoration treatment, silver diamine fluoride application, extraction, and others.

Conclusion: The abovementioned procedures are minimally invasive and can be considered as a best suitable option in this current situation when treatment is required.

Clinical significance: This review suggests the treatment modalities to be done considering the COVID-19 pandemic that involves cross-contamination in pediatric dentistry.

Keywords: COVID-19 pandemic, Dental cavity preparation, Dental practice pattern, Pediatric dentistry.

INTRODUCTION

A novel viral pneumonia outbreak that started from the city of Wuhan, China, and spread globally was termed coronavirus disease (COVID-19) by the World Health Organization (WHO) on February 11, 2020.1 The symptoms range from fever, cough, fatigue, sputum production, headache, hemoptysis, and diarrhea.2

Serious complications, such as acute respiratory distress syndrome, arrhythmia, and shock may also be seen especially in patients over 60 years and with underlying comorbidities (e.g., diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease).1

COVID-19 is transmitted through droplet inhalation (coughing, sneezing), contact transmission (contact with nasal, oral, and eye mucous membrane), and through aerosols formed during certain medical procedures.3 Salivary glands have been shown to act as virus reservoirs; saliva of even asymptomatic people is being shown to help in disease propagation.2,4 One of the major concerns in dental clinics and hospitals is the droplet and aerosol transmission of COVID-19. Most dental procedures generate a large number of aerosols, which when mixed with blood and saliva could make it a potential major source of transmission.

While the abovementioned transmission pathways are common in the treatment procedure of any dental patient, pediatric patients present additional risks of transmission. The use of removable appliances or auxiliary elements in orthodontics entails risks of contamination if handling is not carried out with due precautions.4 Another problem is related to a child’s difficulty in using personal protective equipment (PPE) during medical visits. Finally, the presence of caregivers, whom the pediatric dentist cannot avoid to interact with, increases the risk drastically.

Here we discuss the general precautionary measures that a dental professional and a dental assistant should follow while treating patients and propose some alternative elective treatment modalities for pediatric dental professionals, during and after this pandemic.

PRECAUTIONS

PREVENTIVE GUIDELINES

In the current scenario, when minimal dental checkups and elective procedures are being performed, there is a high potential of an increased dental disease burden. To keep this in check, certain preventive guidelines can easily be followed at home.

Parents should be advised to:

Patients should be categorized and treated according to their risk level based on the caries risk assessment. Preventive care with 1,000 ppm fluoridated toothpastes, application of fluoride varnishes (at specified intervals), and additional remineralizing agents for arresting/reversing white spot lesions should be carried out.13–17

Alternatives

Oral Prophylaxis

While manual scaling with a handheld scraping instrument was standard in the past, modern dentists and hygienists are increasingly using ultrasonic scaling devices. These new tools use ultrasonic vibrations to remove replaque and tartar from the teeth while producing high amounts of aerosol. This is unfavorable in the present situation as aerosol generation could be hazardous for the patient, operator, and the assistant. Breininger et al. showed manual hand scaling to be remarkably effective in plaque removal and bacterial debridement.18 Thus, as responsible dentists, we need to revert to the traditional treatment of hand scaling with intermittent rinsing using 1% H2O2 and 0.2% povidone-iodine to prevent contamination from a patient.

Table 1: Guide on sterilizing and disinfecting dental instruments and materials
Steam autoclaveDry heat ovenChemical disinfection/sterilization
Burs+ (except carbon steel)++
Dappen dishes+++
Endodontic instruments (broaches, files, reamers)+++
Glass slabs+++
Hand instruments—stainless steel+++
Handpieces autoclavable+++
Contra angles, nonautoclavable handpieces−−+
Impression trays—metal+++
Impression trays plastic−−+
Instrument tray setups+++
Mirrors++
Orthodontic pliers+ (high-quality stainless steel)++
Polishing wheels and disks−−+
Removable prostheses−−+
Rubber dam—carbon steel clamps−++
Metal frames+++
Plastic frames−−+
Punches−++
Prophylaxis cups+−+
Saliva evacuators, ejectors—low-melting plastic (discard preferred)−−+
Saliva evacuators—high-melting plastic+++
Stones diamond, polishing+++
Stones—sharpening++−
Surgical instruments stainless steel+++
Ultrasonic scaling tips+−+
X-ray equipment—plastic film holders, collimating devices−−+

Treatment for Caries with No Signs of Pulpal Inflammation

Minimally invasive dentistry (MID) concept, i.e., conservation of tooth structure and selective caries removal, without the use of aerosol generation should be followed. The use of the atraumatic restorative technique (ART) and the application of silver diamine fluoride (SDF) are discussed below.

Atraumatic restorative technique: The ART was introduced in Tanzania in 1987 and is defined as “a minimally invasive care approach in preventing dental caries and stopping its further progression.”19 The ART involves two components: sealing the deep pits and fissures with pit and fissure sealants and removal of soft denatured dentin to create an access for the restoration. The removal of dentin is done using sharp spoon excavators and the cavity is then sealed with a glass ionomer cement (GIC). GIC is the choice of restoration because of its chemical bonding to the teeth and fluoride release.20

In a systematic review and meta-analysis done by Raggio et al.,21 the authors concluded that ART restorations have a similar success rates to conventional restorative techniques in occlusal and proximal restorations in primary teeth, especially in primary molars.

In the year of the COVID-19 crisis and high disease transmissibility, where aerosol generation is nothing short of dangerous, ART is a great treatment option in both primary and permanent teeth in order to arrest and delay further caries progression.

Silver diamine fluoride: Silver diamine fluoride, composed of ammoniacal silver nitrate, was first introduced in the 1960s in Japan. The American Association of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) formulated guidelines for its use in 201722 and it is now available worldwide under several brand names.

About 38% SDF (containing 44,800 ppm of fluoride) works by utilizing the antibacterial activity of silver and the remineralizing potential of fluoride. Metallic silver reacts with bacterial enzymes and nucleic acid, causing protein denaturation and cell lysis. Fluoride ions combine with calcium ions and form calcium fluoride, a precursor of fluorapatite, leading to remineralization Thus, an active dentinal cavity is arrested.22 The method of application is followed according to AAPD 2017.23

The disadvantage of SDF is that it causes discoloration of dentin. This can be masked by application of a layer of glass ionomer cement over it—a technique called as the SDF-modified atraumatic restorative technique (SMART). Silver diamine fluoride application is contraindicated in caries involving pulp or in teeth showing signs of pulpal inflammation. Concerns about toxicity of silver and fluoride are present, but at this concentration in clinical use, SDF is proven to be safe.22

Chibinski24 reported that caries arrest by SDF was 66% greater when compared to traditional materials in his systematic review and meta-analysis and concluded that SDF causes both arrest and prevention of further caries in primary teeth.

In the present situation of COVID-19, SDF is a safe, minimally invasive, evidence-based, and inexpensive alternative for caries arrest, as it does not involve caries excavation through hazardous aerosol generation.

Treatment for Caries with Signs of Pulpal Inflammation

In case of deep caries, the caries removal can be done with a sharp excavator or a slow-speed handpiece without water irrigation. The heat generated while using the handpiece can be reduced by giving intermittent breaks during the procedure and with the use of a minimal quantity of water in a syringe. Always use a high-vacuum suction along with the procedure and the patient should be prohibited from rinsing and spitting. It is advised that the clinicians work in a 11 o’clock or 12 o’clock position to avoid coming in direct face-to-face contact with the patient. Magnification will help to maintain a safer distance from the patient while working but appropriate sterilization and disinfection of the magnifying equipment should be done. Also, the air pressure on the three-way syringe should be kept to a minimum, in order prevent any aerosol generation while air drying the tooth/working area.

Leaving a layer of remaining affected dentine followed by a capping agent (indirect pulp capping) helps in the formation of tertiary dentine, which helps to avoid complex pulp treatment.

Complete excavation of caries leading to pulp exposure might require pulpotomy or pulpectomy in primary teeth.

In a tooth that is indicated for pulpectomy, the caries excavation can be done with a sharp spoon excavator or a slow-speed handpiece under rubber dam isolation to minimize aerosol contamination. Single-sitting pulpectomies are advised whenever possible. According to Mathewson, the main indications for pulpectomies are primary incisors with resultant pathologic conditions (in children younger than 4–4.5 years) and primary second molars, before the eruption of 6 years’ molars.25 In other cases, especially in posterior teeth with a useable abutment tooth, extraction of primary molars followed by placement of space maintainer should be the general rule.

Crown Preparation

Avoid placing Zirconia crowns as it requires tooth preparation and aerosol generation. A feasible alternative is using the Hall technique, described below.

Hall technique: Dr Norna Hall, from Scotland, introduced an unconventional way of crown placement using preformed metal crowns, known as the Hall technique. This technique does not involve local anesthesia and any crown preparation or caries excavation and hence, no aerosol generation.26,27

The success rate of the Hall technique is based on the sealing ability of the crown. The biofilm is physically prevented from accessing carbohydrate from the oral cavity. This arrests an active lesion into a noncariogenic one.

Multiple studies have examined success rates of the Hall technique vs conventional treatment and no statistically significant difference was seen.28 The occlusal stability while applying this technique is long debated. Innes et al.,28 in their prospective study concluded that a mean increase of 1.1 mm in vertical dimension was observed immediately after the placement of a hall crown. This was reduced to 0.3 mm in 2 weeks’ time. The authors attributed this change to the compensation from the intrusion of the crowned tooth and intrusion of the opposing tooth as well. The permanent tooth bud was unharmed in this process.

Esthetic Dentistry

Resin infiltration technology, a microinvasive technique, can be used in tooth discolorations caused by mild to moderate dental fluorosis and molar incisor hypoplasia to give brilliant esthetic results.29 It reinforces, fills, and stabilizes demineralized enamel without drilling or sacrificing the healthy tooth structure.

Composite resins are also excellent esthetic restorative materials. For a discolored tooth, noninvasive laminates can be performed.30 They can also be used for diastema closure, improving/modifying tooth size and shape, luting, and core build-up.

The self-etching technique can be followed with a slight modification to help reduce the use of air syringe. Start with tooth preparation using a rubber cup with low-speed micromotor to remove the debris. Etch with the usual procedure and wash off gently using a syringe of distilled water to reduce backsplash. Finally, use chip blower to gently dry the surface and followed by the usual bonding procedure.

The use of indices made from wax-up or celluloid crown forms for anterior teeth is also a good way to reduce chairside time and increase patient satisfaction, without compromising on the overall result.

Management of Oral Surgical Procedures

All intra-alveolar extraction procedures can be performed with due caution. Avoid aerosol-generating procedures such as bone cutting or trimming. Nonaerosol-generating procedures such as frenectomy and mucocele excision can be performed, but with proper personal protection and sterilization protocols.

Management of Traumatic Dental Injuries (TDIs)

Oral injuries contribute to about 5% of all bodily injuries across all ages.31 The recent ADA practice guidelines on the COVID-19 outbreak classify TDIs involving facial bones and with uncontrolled bleeding as an emergency.32

Prior patient evaluation should be done using teledentistry. If a nonemergent injury (enamel infractions, enamel fracture, concussion injury, subluxation) is diagnosed, the patient/parent is reassured and elective treatment can be deferred. In the case of an emergency (uncontrollable bleeding with gingival and mucosal lacerations, complicated crown fractures, crown-root fractures, root fracture, extrusive, intrusive, and lateral luxations, avulsion, and fracture of alveolar bone), the patient should be treated in-office with proper precautions according to IADT guidelines.33–35 Aerosol-generating procedures must be avoided wherever possible.32 Procedures requiring suturing and splinting can be done in-office under emergencies. In the case of multiple fractures of facial bone, the patient must be referred to an oral surgeon for further management.

Management of Children Undergoing Orthodontic Treatment

Since the orthodontic practice involves minimal aerosol generation, an orthodontic practice can be at relatively less risk for transmission of the coronavirus.

While bonding orthodontic brackets and attachments, follow the same pattern for etching and bonding as discussed previously. Interproximal reduction can be done using IPR strips and care should be taken while debonding and changing archwire to avoid splatter and any fly away.

If a child is using a removable orthodontic appliance, emphasis should be on correct hand hygiene measures before inserting the device into the oral cavity. Removable appliances should be cleaned thoroughly by the patient by soaking it in diluted povidone-iodine before appliance adjustment.

Management of Prosthetic Treatment

Blood and saliva from dental impressions may carry high concentrations of potentially infective viruses or bacteria that can produce a vicious cycle of cross-contamination. Impressions should be gently rinsed under water to remove blood and saliva and then disinfected. Among the disinfectants, 2% glutaraldehyde (Cidex, Glutarex, Korselex), 5.25% sodium hypochlorite (Clorox), and 1% iodophors (Wescodyne) have been used variably for disinfecting these surfaces. It is recommended that impression materials should not be exposed to disinfectants for more than 30 minutes. If an impression is made from a high-risk patient, the case should be marked on the outside of the container to alert the laboratory. Cases received from the dental laboratory should be washed with soap or detergent, disinfected, and rinsed well before the prosthesis is placed in the patient’s mouth. All packing materials should be discarded after use to avoid cross-contamination.36 Other than the widely used disinfecting solutions, the ultraviolet chamber has also been shown to effectively reduce the microbial load from impression materials.37

Management of Children with Special Healthcare Needs (SHCNs)

The AAPD defines SCHN as “any physical, developmental, mental, sensory, behavioral, cognitive, or emotional impairment or limiting condition that requires medical management, health care intervention, and/or use of specialized services or programs. The condition may be congenital, developmental, or acquired through disease, trauma, or environmental cause and may impose limitations in performing daily self-maintenance activities or substantial limitations in a major life activity. Health care for individuals with special needs requires specialized knowledge, as well as increased awareness and attention, adaptation, and accommodative measures beyond what are considered routine.”38 Dental caries in children with SHCNs is twice as much as those compared to general population.39 The incidence of dental trauma is also high in those requiring SHCNs.40 This calls for the need of special dental care for these children. During dental treatment, these children often need in-office-based sedation or hospital-based anesthesia. Sedation techniques can be followed after proper initial medical evaluation and proper disinfection methods. If nitrous oxide-oxygen inhalational technique is followed, then the use of disposal nasal hoods have to be used; the tubings have to be sterilized in an appropriate manner with an EPA-certified chemiclave or autoclave procedure (if the tubes are heat tolerant).

Hospital Care Dentistry

Pediatric dental care usually involves hospital-based care under general anesthesia. The American Society of Anesthesiologist (ASA) have requested surgeons to defer from elective treatment. The ASA also recommends to minimize the aerosol-generating procedure in the operatory and minimize the number of healthcare professional to be present inside the operatory and during pre-, peri-, and postoperative care. A designated pre- and postoperative room is recommended to be used in case of the COVID-19-positive or a suspected COVID-19-positive patient. The following are the recommendations by ASA:

  • Reduction of surgical and interventional procedures: Only emergency and urgent procedures must be carried out. All elective procedures must be postponed.41
  • Anesthesia work environment: The ASA recommends an escalation of standard of practice during airway management for all patients to reduce exposure to secretions.5
  • During intubation and other aerosol-generating procedure, the following protocol has to be followed.42,43

These include:

  • Designating the most experienced anesthesia professional available to perform intubation, if possible.
  • Wearing PPE including:
  • Either an N95 mask, for which one has been fit-tested, or a powered air-purifying respirator (PAPR)
  • A face shield or goggles
  • A gown
  • Surgical Gloves
  • Avoiding awake fiberoptic intubation unless specifically indicated.
  • Consider a rapid sequence induction (RSI) in order to avoid manual ventilation of patient’s lungs and potential aerosolization. If manual ventilation is required, apply small tidal volumes.
  • Maintenance of anesthesia station: Proper disinfection after every case is recommended with an EPA-certified chemical disinfectat.5

    The summary of the procedures is given in Table 2.

Table 2: Summary of the procedures
Treatment procedureTreatment choices
Oral prophylaxis
  1. Hand scaling
Management of carious lesion not involving the pulp
  1. ART
  2. SDF application
  3. Hall technique
Management of carious lesions involving the pulp in primary teeth
  1. Pulpotomy/pulpectomy (if abutment teeth is not present)
  2. Extraction and space maintainer ( if abutment teeth is present)
Management of lesions involving the pulp in young permanent teeth
  1. Partial/complete pulpotomy
  2. Root canal therapy
Esthetic management
  1. Resin infiltration
  2. Composite veneer/buildups
S. S. Crown
  1. Hall technique
Traumatic dental injuries
  1. Nonaerosol-generating procedures can be done—like pulp protection, application of flexible splints. Removal of splints can be deferred to a later appointment (refer pulp exposure for management of complicated fracture and esthetics for treatment concerning esthetics)
Orthodontics
  1. Interproximal—IPR strips
  2. Bonding—use water in syringe and gentle air blow using a chipblower
  3. Debonding and changing the archwire—care to avoid splatters and fly away
  4. Patient hand hygiene while inserting removable appliances
Oral surgical procedure
  1. Extractions—intra-alveolar
  2. Minor oral surgical procedures with proper caution
  3. Avoid transalveolar extractions and trimming of bone

CONCLUSION

During these tough times, as dental healthcare professionals, we must be well informed of the disease and treat patients with maximum precaution. Depending on the patient compliance, comprehensive treatment care should be provided to reduce multiple appointments. The end of the pandemic will have to mark the beginning of innovative techniques and approaches for clinical management in pediatric dentistry.

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