Model for Taking Care of Patients with Early Childhood Caries during the SARS-Cov-2 Pandemic

Stefano Cianetti, Stefano Pagano, Michele Nardone and Guido Lombardo
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Stefano Cianetti: Biomedical Sciences, Unit of Paediatric Dentistry, University of Perugia, 06100 Perugia, Italy
Stefano Pagano: Biomedical Sciences, Unit of Paediatric Dentistry, University of Perugia, 06100 Perugia, Italy
Michele Nardone: Azienda Socio-Sanitaria Territoriale, Melegnano e della Martesana, 20070 Milano, Regione Lombardia, Italy
Guido Lombardo: Biomedical Sciences, Unit of Paediatric Dentistry, University of Perugia, 06100 Perugia, Italy

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 11, 1-17

Abstract: Pending the availability of vaccines to contain the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, the current solution is “social distancing” with a reduction of dental treatments to those assessed as urgent and emergency cases. These treatments also involve Early Childhood Caries (ECC) due to the fact that this disease affects preschool children (a vulnerable population) and, in addition, shows a propensity to evolve into more serious complications (dental pain, infections). A narrative review was carried out to support a protocol for treating ECC with efficacious and safe (in terms of SARS-CoV-2 transmission) procedures. Protocol involves criteria for patients’ selection remotely (telemedicine), and well-detailed criteria/equipment and hygiene procedures to combat against SARS-CoV-2 transmission. Moreover, the protocol proposes innovative caries treatments, named Minimally Invasive Treatments (MITs), well known in pedodontics for their high level of children’s acceptance during dental care. MITs allow for caries removal (particularly in primary teeth) without any high-speed rotating instrument cooled with nebulized air-water spray (with high risk of virus environmental diffusion), usually adopted during traditional treatments. For evaluating MITs effectiveness in caries management, only Systematic Review and Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) were included in our study, without any risk of bias assessment. The indications proposed in this protocol could support clinicians for the temporary management of ECC until the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic ends.

Keywords: SARS-CoV-2; early childhood caries; minimally invasive; infection control (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (5)

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