Home Dental Radiology The practice of oral and maxillofacial radiology during COVID-19 outbreak

The practice of oral and maxillofacial radiology during COVID-19 outbreak

by adminjay


It is crucial to scrutinize the routine guidelines on prevention measures and infection control in oral radiology departments to reduce cross-infection and protect practicing professionals [12]. A study has reported that only 40% of radiology department professional staff had adequate knowledge of infection control practice [13].

Since specific drugs and vaccines are not available during COVID-19 outbreak, protection measures on controlling transmission routes such as saliva droplet, aerosol transmissions, and contact surface in oral radiology departments are the principal stamina [12]. The reception and examination area should be well ventilated by employing proper ventilation apparatus. After the completion of the examination, the contact surface and the air (if possible) should be carefully sterilized. A considerable time space (more than 30 min) may be considered between examinations of patients while the duration of the examination should be reduced as much as possible [12].

For infection control of DPR and CBCT units, barrier wrapping of control panel the surfaces contacting the patient is recommended. It is suggested to cover the bite pegs but preferably not to use them by aligning the lip commissure and asking the patient for an edge-to-edge occlusion [3]. A COVID-19-positive patient should wear a face mask during DPT, and a chin rest should be used instead of a bite peg, and aligning to the canine prominence, or alar line. The barrier wrapping should be removed after radiological examinations are completed, then the contaminated surfaces should be wiped down using disinfectant regarding the protocols [3].

For intraoral radiography, dirty and clean films/sensors and film holders should be kept in different places. A no-touch technique should be employed for processing the imaging films or the photostimulable phosphor plate (PSP) sensors [3]. An operator should dry and then disinfect the intraoral packet with a recommended disinfectant. Then, opens the packet and drops the image sensor plate or film onto a clean surface. Another operator then transfers the sensor/film to the processor. Using gloves during these procedures and disinfecting the contaminated surfaces after completion of imaging is recommended [3].



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