COVID-19 connections in dentistry featured in October issue of Journal of the California Dental Association

 Sacramento, Calif. — The October 2020 issue of the Journal of the California Dental Association explores COVID-19 connections in oral health care and dentistry. Articles discuss the roles of hygiene and periodontal health in respiratory complications, differentiating medical and dental aerosols, barriers to accessing care globally and evaluating masks and air-purifying respirators. The issue, which also provides teledentistry guidance and back-to-practice resources, was designed to not only update contemporary readers but to serve as an archive for future researchers.

“We know that in 18 months, five years or a decade from now the information we have gathered, processed and built on will be astounding. This event might even become a scientific watershed,” says Kerry K. Carney, DDS, editor-in-chief of the CDA Journal, in her introduction. “This issue provides a context for how we reacted to this unfolding pandemic.”

 

The article “The Mouth-COVID Connection: Il-6 Levels in Periodontal Disease — Potential Role in COVID-19-Related Respiratory Complications” explores the association between periodontal therapy, serum IL-6 levels, systemic inflammatory activity and COVID-19 severity. “Decoding Dental Aerosols in the Age of COVID-19” discusses how emphasis on dental aerosol mitigation may have created a false impression that visits to the dentist are dangerous.

 

“Global Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Service Delivery and Vulnerable Populations Access to Dental Care” provides an overview of how dental professionals around the world have been effected by COVID-19 and the challenges vulnerable populations face in accessing oral health care during the pandemic. The literature review “Oral Pathology in the Context of COVID-19: Perspectives Based on a Compilation of Literature Data” reveals the importance of dental professionals staying current with the stomatological manifestations and maxillofacial pathology of COVID-19.

 

With personal protective equipment at the forefront of the pandemic, two articles address the use of PPE in the dental office. The article “Face Masks and Respirators for the Dental Health Care Provider” reviews current respiratory protection devices used to minimize the risk of COVID-19 infection, and “COVID-19: New Considerations for Respiratory Protection in Dental Practice” discusses using powered air-purifying respirators (PAPRs) as a replacement for the N95 mask, which has been difficult to acquire during the pandemic due to breakdowns in the supply chain.

 

Lastly, the article “Teledentistry 101: A Primer for Dental Professionals for the New Normal” provides tips for launching teledentistry in the dental practice. Additionally, COVID-19 resources CDA has developed and made available to members and nonmembers since the beginning of the pandemic are included in this issue.

 

The Journal of the California Dental Association is an award-winning peer-reviewed scientific publication that keeps dentists up to date about scientific advances, business management strategies and new products.

 About the California Dental Association
The California Dental Association is the nonprofit organization representing organized dentistry in California. Founded in 1870, CDA is committed to the success of our members in service to their patients and the public. CDA also contributes to the oral health of Californians through various comprehensive programs and advocacy. CDA’s membership consists of more than 27,000 dentists, making it the largest constituent of the American Dental Association. For more information, visit cda.org.