Current COVID19 Dental Situation in Korea. Apr 10 , 2020
I just got off the phone with many dentist in Korea including many leaders of organized dentistry in the country.
I asked them questions related to what we,dentist in the US,are debating, arguing,and fighting over aerosol during dental procedures these days. This aerosol argument is a main cotributing factor for closure of dental offices throughout the whole country. Since there is not much of evidence based information is available regarding relationship btw aerosol and COVID19 or any virus contamination during dental procedures, we do not know which way we should treat our patient legally, clinically, and politically correct.
First Korean Covid19 case reported on the same day as U.S.A., Jan 20, 2020
Questions
1. Have you (dentist in Korea) asked to stop doing dentistry by any government agencies or organization including Korean Dental Association because of COVID19?
Answer : No, none of them were asked to stop or closure of office.
2. Have you stop working or closed your office voluntarily because of COVID19?
Answer : No
3. What kind of protective equipment do you use when you are treating your patient?
Answer : standard infection control + dental mask or surgical mask, face shield,disposable gown and head covers.
4. Do you have to install or make negative pressure room to prevent aerosol contamination or need to make special air ventilation system to prevent COVID19?
Answer : No special room nor vent system installed
5. Are there any dentist in Korea contracted with COVID19 while they are treating/working on pt until today?
Answer : 0
All of them said, every patient has to take temp. check and fill out questionnair at the reception.
Questionnaire include travel history, fever, headaches, and any COVID19 related symptoms.
Korea has national insurance system and its verification could be done on line at the reception including pt's travel history outside of the country. Using this info, if pt traveled out of the country within 2 weeks, they advise pt to come back later or refer them to test COVID19. Test for COVID19 is free and quick.
There are about 30,000 dentist in Korea with 52 million population, and it is little less than the total number of dentist in California .
Current Covid19 stats in Korea
Total number : 10,450
Released/Recovered : 7,117
Death : 208
Total New case , 4/10/2020 : 27
Current COVID19 Test /Return Turnover Time
KOREA : 6 Hours
U.S.A. : 2-3 Days (after you get tested)
source
I just got off the phone with many dentist in Korea including many leaders of organized dentistry in the country.
I asked them questions related to what we,dentist in the US,are debating, arguing,and fighting over aerosol during dental procedures these days. This aerosol argument is a main cotributing factor for closure of dental offices throughout the whole country. Since there is not much of evidence based information is available regarding relationship btw aerosol and COVID19 or any virus contamination during dental procedures, we do not know which way we should treat our patient legally, clinically, and politically correct.
First Korean Covid19 case reported on the same day as U.S.A., Jan 20, 2020
Questions
1. Have you (dentist in Korea) asked to stop doing dentistry by any government agencies or organization including Korean Dental Association because of COVID19?
Answer : No, none of them were asked to stop or closure of office.
2. Have you stop working or closed your office voluntarily because of COVID19?
Answer : No
3. What kind of protective equipment do you use when you are treating your patient?
Answer : standard infection control + dental mask or surgical mask, face shield,disposable gown and head covers.
4. Do you have to install or make negative pressure room to prevent aerosol contamination or need to make special air ventilation system to prevent COVID19?
Answer : No special room nor vent system installed
5. Are there any dentist in Korea contracted with COVID19 while they are treating/working on pt until today?
Answer : 0
All of them said, every patient has to take temp. check and fill out questionnair at the reception.
Questionnaire include travel history, fever, headaches, and any COVID19 related symptoms.
Korea has national insurance system and its verification could be done on line at the reception including pt's travel history outside of the country. Using this info, if pt traveled out of the country within 2 weeks, they advise pt to come back later or refer them to test COVID19. Test for COVID19 is free and quick.
There are about 30,000 dentist in Korea with 52 million population, and it is little less than the total number of dentist in California .
Current Covid19 stats in Korea
Total number : 10,450
Released/Recovered : 7,117
Death : 208
Total New case , 4/10/2020 : 27
Current COVID19 Test /Return Turnover Time
KOREA : 6 Hours
U.S.A. : 2-3 Days (after you get tested)
source