To give some perspective on the new risk dentists and their patients face and why routine dentistry has been halted, the number of viruses in a patient with hepatitis C is 2000/ml of saliva, the number in a Covid-19 patient is 158,000/ml of saliva, that’s almost 80 times greater.
The dental drill and ultrasonic scalers produce an aerosol of pressurised water and air. This aerosol will transport the virus very effectively through the air.
But this is only temporary. In time, through a combination of improved natural immunity, antibody testing, increased production of Personal protective equipment delivering routine dentistry will become safe again. And we can return to caring for all our lovely patients in Eastbourne. In the mean time stay safe.