PETALING JAYA: With the Covid-19 pandemic causing many to put off their dental treatment, dentists are ensuring stringent preventative measures are put in place.
A staff member of a dental clinic in Kuala Lumpur said that besides the SOP proposed by the Health Ministry, new infection control measures were also implemented to keep the clinic, workers and patients safe.
He said workers were required to put on disposable gowns over the coverall hooded Tyvek suits they wore, besides the surgical masks and eye and face shields.
“We have also taken extra precautions with the purchase of aerosol scavengers for each surgery room.
“In addition to sterilising all instruments, we have increased the disinfection time of surgical rooms between visits and got new virucidal sprays that have been proven to destroy bacteria and viruses,” he said, adding that the pandemic had badly affected the clinic’s business.
He explained that being health professionals, dentists had taken the necessary measures with safety a top priority.
He said it was all right to postpone dental appointments if one was feeling unwell.
Dentist Dr Aurelia Celvi Hendry said many Malaysians were afraid to visit the dentist due to Covid-19, adding that the number of her patients had reduced by as much as 50%.
Over the past three months, she said she received only half her usual salary.
“The government helps to pay a certain amount for staff salaries so that they can keep their jobs. But what about rental?” she asked.
Another dentist, who wished to be known as Dr Teong, said his clinic did not accept walk-ins unless it was an urgent case.
“Patient attendance is based on appointments only,” he said, adding that a counter had been set up in front of the clinic for temperature checks and to take down patient’s details.
Dr Teong said that despite the fears caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, people should still have their teeth checked.
“Do it while you are still able to save your teeth,” he advised.
Assistant Professor Dhirendra Gururaj Shirur, of SDM College of Dental Science in India, said it was safe to visit a dentist as universal precautions were in place.
“Germany never stopped dental practices from functioning.
“Most other countries that restricted dental clinics in late March resumed them in April and May,” he added.
A staff member of a dental clinic in Kuala Lumpur said that besides the SOP proposed by the Health Ministry, new infection control measures were also implemented to keep the clinic, workers and patients safe.
He said workers were required to put on disposable gowns over the coverall hooded Tyvek suits they wore, besides the surgical masks and eye and face shields.
“We have also taken extra precautions with the purchase of aerosol scavengers for each surgery room.
“In addition to sterilising all instruments, we have increased the disinfection time of surgical rooms between visits and got new virucidal sprays that have been proven to destroy bacteria and viruses,” he said, adding that the pandemic had badly affected the clinic’s business.
He explained that being health professionals, dentists had taken the necessary measures with safety a top priority.
He said it was all right to postpone dental appointments if one was feeling unwell.
Dentist Dr Aurelia Celvi Hendry said many Malaysians were afraid to visit the dentist due to Covid-19, adding that the number of her patients had reduced by as much as 50%.
Over the past three months, she said she received only half her usual salary.
“The government helps to pay a certain amount for staff salaries so that they can keep their jobs. But what about rental?” she asked.
Another dentist, who wished to be known as Dr Teong, said his clinic did not accept walk-ins unless it was an urgent case.
“Patient attendance is based on appointments only,” he said, adding that a counter had been set up in front of the clinic for temperature checks and to take down patient’s details.
Dr Teong said that despite the fears caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, people should still have their teeth checked.
“Do it while you are still able to save your teeth,” he advised.
Assistant Professor Dhirendra Gururaj Shirur, of SDM College of Dental Science in India, said it was safe to visit a dentist as universal precautions were in place.
“Germany never stopped dental practices from functioning.
“Most other countries that restricted dental clinics in late March resumed them in April and May,” he added.
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