Changes in dental health practices and increases in oral health concerns during the COVID-19 pandemic have led dentists nationwide to reconsider treatment methods and strategies to improve oral health during a time when dental providers are seeing fewer patients, The New York Times reported May 19.
Here are four key takeaways:
- More research is showing how oral health affects the rest of the body. What was previously thought to be its own entity is now proving to be connected to the rest of bodily functions. For example, a research paper recently published in Nature Medicine showed how the coronavirus can infect cells in the mouth and salivary glands and be transmitted by saliva. This could explain some COVID-19 symptoms, such as dry mouth and loss of taste.
- A shift to focus on preventive approaches via teledentistry can help providers reach a wider range of patients. The Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health created a program in which fluoride varnish is mailed to patients who are supervised virtually when applying the treatment.
- Jane Weintraub, DDS, a professor of dental public health at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, discussed the need for low-cost treatment, but said a change must be made to insurance policies and the reimbursement process. Medicare does not cover routine dental visits and varies by state, which can prevent patients from visiting their dentists.
- Mary Northridge, PhD, director of dental research at New York University Langone Health, said people will need to focus on their overall health more than appearance. Some dental treatments can affect the appearance of teeth but can also be a more cost effective option and more suitable for vulnerable patients such as children and the elderly.