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The wider impacts of Covid on Dentistry

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  Posted by: Dental Design      30th October 2020

So much focus over the past few months has been on dentistry and how we are going to get back to providing routine care. Of course, this is paramount, and the oral health of the country depends on this. We all know that the mountain we have to climb is huge and the backlog is vast; however, I found myself reflecting on the wider impacts of Covid on dentistry recently and what we as dentists may need to be more aware of as we come out of lockdown.

There is more that us as dentists can miss than caries and oral cancer. We all know that every contact counts, and with months of people not visiting the dentist, these vital contacts may mean we have missed other things; not related to oral health. As we slowly start seeing our patients again, I feel it is important we use our professional and privileged positions to look out for the impacts lockdown has had on our patients.

Safeguarding is a huge issue, regardless of Covid. However, now, with months of people being at home, it may be that safeguarding issues have become heightened. Children stuck indoors for days on end, perhaps with less visits from the social worker and not being at school, means issues such as abuse and neglect may not have been picked up. That vulnerable adult who has been even more isolated than usual; how have they been cared for? With patients slowly filtering back into our surgeries, I feel it is vital we look out for the signs we are all aware of even more vigorously than before. Be on high alert! It may even be that that ‘lovely family’ have begun having issues with the stress and tension lockdown created. Be mindful always, and question everything.

It has also been widely reported as to how domestic abuse has been on the rise with women and men stuck at home with abusive partners; giving the abuser the perfect scenario to keep their partner isolated, controlled and abused. A visit to the dentist may be that person’s first opportunity to speak out since lockdown; again, look for the signs and be on high alert.

Lockdown had a huge impact on people’s mental health, which in turn can impact their wider health. The links between alcohol use, smoking, drug use and mental health are clear, and we all know the impacts they can have on oral health. We need to use our contacts even more efficiently than before and make sure we are exploring all of these things with our patients. Perhaps they’re on a new medication that flags up they may be struggling – this can help us look harder for the signs they may be using something else to cope and we as professionals can help them tackle these issues. Other mental health problems, such as eating disorders may have become more rife. Looking out for those classic signs, such as erosion, means we can help pick up these hidden issues too.

Of course, none of this is new; we look out for all of these things every day with every patient. However, with the workload so high and days being busier, it’s important we don’t oversee these issues and actually spend more time reflecting and questioning to help tackle these problems as they become more prevalent. We are in a privileged position; this should most certainly be used in the months to come to try and tackle these wider issues created by the pandemic and the resultant lockdown. We can really have a positive impact in society at this time (and always); even beyond the oral cavity!


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