Volume 8 • 2021 • Issue 4

We’ve taken measures to control disease transmission in these confined spaces and there is strong and credible evidence that our measures work— not only with COVID-19, but also with other respiratory diseases. The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or official policies of the Canadian Dental Association. In my view, dentistry has provided an excellent model of how to manage respiratory illness in indoor settings. We faced a lot of challenges in terms of access to the appropriate PPE and an affordable, timely supply of PPE. Clear priorities in terms of vaccination and the role of dentistry in how to assist in managing pandemics are areas for potential review and planning in order to “future proof” our profession. Q How do you think this will affect dentistry in the next year or so? AB: During this pandemic, a vast amount of research into the mechanism of respiratory viral transmission has been conducted. The science has advanced at an incredible rate and new information—particularly a much better understanding of the role of aerosols in dentistry and their role in respiratory illness—is far ahead of what we knew 18 months ago. Concepts such as wearing a mask in indoor public spaces, which were somewhat foreign to us, are likely to be far more commonplace in the foreseeable future. For dentists, the challenges that we face in the prevention of transmission is that we work indoors in relatively confined spaces in very close contact with our patients. New science demonstrates that aerosols spread from regular breathing, so this is what needs to be managed in the dental setting and in other indoor locations. The good news is that we’ve taken measures to control disease transmission in these confined spaces and there is strong and credible evidence that our measures work— not only with COVID-19, but also with other respiratory diseases. For instance, rates of influenza and all other typical respiratory illness have been virtually non- existent under COVID-19 protocols in hospitals, schools and daycares. We now understand the benefit and necessity of separating patients from each other. Closed operatories, where we isolate patients from each other, have proven to be effective. I think COVID-19 has changed what patients expect and what makes them feel safe. The protocols we’ve been using in our dental operatories not only work now, but they position us well when we face the next infectious disease, or even just the next flu season! Q What can dentists look forward to in the next stage of the pandemic? AB: In a word, clarity. Research continues to emerge that provides us with solid evidence to underpin what we do and how we do it. During the pandemic, there has been so much change and best practices had to be updated, again and again. Now the science is catching up and providing us all with greater clarity and confidence. Once our teams are vaccinated, we can look forward to staff huddles or other gatherings again. Eventually, we may reach a time when patients don’t have to wear masks as they walk to and from the operatory. I’m not sure how that will affect patients. Personally, I’m not quite ready to sit inside a restaurant with a lot of other people around. Surveying and polling that we’re doing at CDA shows that Canadians are very comfortable coming into the dental office with our current protocols in place. I think slow and gradual change might be crucial to help patients to maintain a sense of safety and security while in the dental office. Q So when can we go back to doing things the way we used to? AB: In the modern world, where people and things move rapidly through an interrelated society that spans the planet, there is no going back. As long as we have airports, new infectious airborne diseases can spread internationally—within days or even hours. We live in a different world now, one where we have learned critical lessons about how to protect the health of an interconnected, global population. As an individual, when I go through a challenging experience, I always hope that I come out the other sidewith new ideas, amore expansive perspective and greater empathy. As a profession, we’ve weathered a pandemic and are getting ready to come out the other side. I think it has made us better at what we do. We can’t go back, and I wouldn’t want to. 12 | 2021 | Issue 4 CDA at W ork