Globally we are currently facing extraordinary challenges in the wake of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) which is the virus strain that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), a respiratory illness.
COVID-19 has developed in record time into a serious human pandemic and economic crisis of global dimensions, and we in South Africa are also observing its evolution with much anxiety, concern and uncertainty.
As a result, dental professionals (under the ambit of the Board, i.e. dental assistants, dental therapists and oral hygienists) across the country have had to react rapidly and implement appropriate safety measures to help contain the spread of SARS-CoV-2 that causes this disease.
Since the start of the pandemic, the HPCSA as a Regulatory Council has issued numerous communiques (18 March 2020, 25 March 2020, 26 March 2020 and 27 March 2020) providing general advice to professionals on how to manage the COVID-19 pandemic. This also includes referring professionals to the National Department of Health and the National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD), clinical guidelines for healthcare workers, as well as information provided by these sites on frequently asked questions, a quick reference infographic and information on communicable diseasesto assist healthcare professionals.
The HPCSA is concerned about the well-being of dental healthcare professionals and those under their care and recommends following the NICD directives when dealing with COVID-19. Moreover, the HPCSA urges professionals to also take care of their own health and to seek help when needed. Furthermore, the departments of Health and of Employment and Labour and the National Institute for Communicable Diseases amongst others provided detailed guidelines for workplaces and the public. This communique serves to supplement these guidelines whilst contextualising measures specific for dental settings.
As a regulator, the Professional Board for Dental Assisting, Dental Therapy and Oral Hygiene, has an important responsibility towards patients and professionals, as well as a social responsibility to protect the health and well-being of all persons in South Africa. As a Board we take all obligations seriously and has participated through various platforms to assist in the development of practice guidelines.
SARS-CoV-2 is a new strain of the coronavirus group and as such the pool of knowledge surrounding the virus and its attributes is rapidly evolving. So too is the literature, and as such it is understandably difficult for the Board to provide a set of guidelines that are lasting, as the disease epidemiological and pathological profile is dynamic and ever-changing. However, the Board will provide a set of generic guidelines and recommendations that may be used in practice, in addition to the universal precautions on infectious disease management protocols once the national lockdown is eased or uplifted. It is essential to recognise and acknowledge that these guidelines may in the future become obsolete as research generates new information about this disease, its diagnosis, pathology, treatment and prevention.
Members of the Board for Dental Assisting, Dental Therapy and Oral Hygiene have provided input, or collaborated with the National Department of Health, dental associations and educators to develop guidelines. We urge professionals to follow the guidelines issued by these structures such as the South African Dental Association (SADA) and the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (available at www.nicd.ac.za). Please refer to the reference list to access some of these guidelines.
Protecting the patient and the dental team
As a Board we caution that dental professionals might be more susceptible than other professionals to contracting and transmitting the virus owing to their prolonged and close proximity to patients; the generation of aerosols, possible spatter of patients’ secretions, saliva or blood; aerosols generated by high-speed handpieces and ultrasonic devices; and through pathogenic microorganisms attached to the various dental instruments. We therefore recommend that dental professionals avoid treating patients suspected of having already contracted the virus. This is in itself a challenge as some patients are asymptomatic and unaware of their status. Considering the high risk of transmission in dentistry, all patients must be treated with due diligence to infection control protocols and with specific preventive measures pertaining to SARS-CoV-2.
Treatment of patients
Whilst healthcare has been defined as an essential service in terms of the Disaster Management regulations, clear guidelines specific to dentistry were not provided. Additionally, there were recommendations from professional associations and bodies nationally and internationally to limit dental treatment to “emergencies”. It is difficult to define what is a dental emergency, as patients are individuals with their own needs, pain thresholds etc., and thus the definition of a dental emergency becomes subjective. The Board trusts that professionals will use their clinical acumen, apply sound clinical reasoning, and due diligence in assessing and triaging patients as emergencies, non-emergency and elective treatment cases.
A list of recommendations for dental professionals to help limit the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in their practices, whether it be in private or public sector, include standard measures such as thorough and regular hand-washing; use of appropriate protective masks, gloves and eyewear; and the need for strictly following all sterilisation and disinfection procedures.
As it is almost impossible to distinguish between asymptomatic and non-contagious patients it is important to protect both patients and professionals. Therefore, it is essential that dental professionals (and even administrative staff) employ precautionary measures such as wearing extensive protective clothing (not limited to medical masks, caps, gloves, goggles or face shields, shoe covers up to the knee and surgical gowns). It is recommended that the use of ultrasonic aerosol-generating scaling and restorative handpieces be curtailed, and that hand instruments / non-aerosol generating handpieces only be used for prophylaxis and restorations. It is also recommended that in the event of the need to perform an essential aerosol-generating procedure it is advised that dental dams and high-volume saliva ejectors be used. The Board also understands the difficulty in obtaining the appropriate PPE at reasonable prices and urges professionals to ensure that only quality assured PPE is purchased. There is ample evidence of a flood of fake, or inferior and sub-standard PPE which may supply minimal, or no protection to both patient and professional. The Board urges professionals to source PPE from reputable suppliers.
Additionally, the Board recommends that since intra-oral radiography stimulates saliva secretion and coughing, consideration should be given to the use of extra-oral radiography, if justified. Current evidence also suggests that the use of a pre-treatment mouthwash for patients may assist in decreasing the viral load of the aerosols generated. The pre-screening of patients prior to even entering the treatment facility is also recommended. This pre-screening is not limited to questions around travel history, but also screening for COVID-19 symptoms and the measuring of patient’s temperatures.
Reorientation of dental practices
Dental practices will have to be creative in the reorientation/redesign of their dental room setup in order to facilitate the implementation of the addition infection control measures. Cognisance must be given to sanitation areas, time between patients (settling of bio-aerosols), entrance and exit points etc.
The departments of Health and of Employment and Labour have issued guidelines on the Workplace Preparedness. Refer to the reference list provided for detailed guidelines.Quarantine
Quarantine – which entails separating asymptomatic individuals potentially exposed to the disease from non-exposed individuals in order to slow down pathogen transmission – may be used. This may require considerable use of resources and infringement to human rights. Quarantine should be distinguished from isolation, which is the act of separating a diseased individual with a contagious disease from healthy individuals without the disease. Quarantine may be voluntary (e.g. asking contacts of infectious cases to stay at home or a designated facility for 14 days) or involuntary (i.e. using legal powers to enforce quarantine against a person’s will). Quarantine may be applied at an individual patient level or at the level of a group or community of exposed persons.
Dental Assisting Examinations
A number of dental assistants were to have sat for the Board dental assistant examination, as part of the requirements of their registration. The Board has taken steps to ensure that these professionals are able to retain their registration, and further details of the examination dates will be made available once there is certainty about the easing or end of the lockdown.
Student Training
The Board understands that student training, and especially practical and clinical training has been compromised. The Board is engaging with the Department of Higher Education, the Council on Higher Education and the universities and universities of technology to ensure that student training is adapted but remains of a high standard. The Board will cooperate with Higher Education Institutions to ensure that alternate teaching and assessments methods are employed, and that adjustments are made to the programme to ensure that adequate, quality assured teaching and learning occurs, and that students graduate as competent professionals.
Annual Registration and Fees
The HPCSA has informed all professionals that the due date for annual renewals and payment of registrations has been extended from 1 April 2020 to 1 July 2020. Professionals should ensure that their annual fees are paid by the 30 June 2020. Professionals are once again encouraged to utilise the online portal for the renewal of their registration, where they will also access their annual practising certificate. Professionals may also access their profile using the HPCSA mobile app that is available on: https://hpcsamobileapp.co.za/.
NB: All annual practising certificates which expired on 31 March 2020 are now valid until 30 June 2020.
Continuing Professional Development
Healthcare professionals have a responsibility to continually update their professional knowledge and skills for the end benefit of the patient or client. To this end, the HPCSA has implemented a Continuing Professional Development (CPD) programme. Every professional is required to accumulate 30 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) per twelve-month period (in the case of dental assistants 15 CEUs are required) and five of the units must be on ethics, human rights and medical law. Each CEU will be valid for 24 months from the date on which the activity took place (or ended, in the event of post-graduate studies) after which it would lapse. This means that professionals should aim to accumulate a balance of 30 / 60 CEUs by the end of their second year of practise, and thereafter top-up the balance through additional CPD as each 24-month validity period expires. Mandatory random audits are conducted to ensure compliancy. Once a professional’s name has been selected, they are required to submit a CPD portfolio to Council within 21 days. However, all audits have been suspended for the foreseeable future.
Professionals are encouraged to continue to engage in CPD activities during this period. Various activities, both formal and informal, accredited and non-accredited, can be undertaken. These activities include, but are not limited to, online meetings, webinars, seminar presentation, reading journal articles, attending formal online workshops and studies. A search of the internet reveals numerous low-cost or free CPD activities that have been made available during this period.
Economic impact
The Board understands that it is devastating for any dental practice to be shut down for such a long time. The Board recognises the economic impact of the lockdown, and in general the decline in revenue that can be expected currently and in the future. Whilst the government and some financial institutions has offered some fiscal relief, this may be insufficient. The Board urges professionals to carefully review their employment contracts and finances in the face of uncertainty.
Conclusion
As a Board we remain optimistic and there will be positives to be taken away from this global crisis. We have already seen suggestions and developments from professionals within the ambit of the profession, as well as professionals assisting and collaborating with one another to address and overcome challenges, and this is commendable. It is more important than ever that we stay safe, respecting social distancing and hygiene recommendations, remain calm, show solidarity with the governments and stand by one another. Everyone’s health is our outmost priority and we are convinced we will overcome this obstacle together.
Click here to view our dental practice COVID-19 safety guidelines.
We wish all of you, your families and your staff a safe and successful return to normal activity. Please take care of your loved ones, your colleagues, your patients and your family and friends.
Dr TA Muslim
Chairperson
Professional Board for Dental Assisting, Dental Therapy and Oral Hygiene
Health Professions Council of South Africa
Last Updated on 7 May 2020 by HPCSA Corporate Affairs