Finally it is clear that the lockdown will now be phased out step by step in most parts of the country. The economy will take time to revive. I have been saying from day one that we have to live with the virus for a very long time.
On a more philosophical note it seems that the corona crisis is because of cumulative waywardness of human kind and is a call to reform ourselves. One of them is the issue of destructions of the environment and ecology.
Corona crisis has led the dental fraternity to be totally confused and there seems to be no end to the confusion. The confusion is caused by contradictory statements in the social media by opinion leaders, regulatory bodies, associations, etc.
I request every dentist to examine the issue very clinically and use some basic common sense to solve the problems and refrain from panic buying. If you follow this approach you will find that there is a problem no doubt, but it can be solved by some simple measures.
The main thrust of this blog now is to make dentist aware that although disinfection protocols needs to be followed but it must be done in a way that there is no plastic load on the environment.
Dentists must consider using reusable, washable and autoclavable caps, masks, gowns, drapes and patient cover alls , aprons, etc. The doffing of the same must be done in a proper way and they must go in the disinfection bin immediately after use. There they can be put in a solution of hot water, soap and bleach and thereafter they can be autoclaved and reused.
While it is important that we take maximum possible efforts to keep the viral load in our clinics to a minimum it must be done in a way that it does not increase the plastic load on the ecology. If single use barrier protection products are to be used please try and use products which are biodegradable. Reusable barrier protection products will be pocket friendly also .
If this is not done then just imagine the number of non biodegradable aprons, garbage bags, caps, masks, gowns, etc, that will be released in the environment due to clinical practice. Do give it a thought.
Another important point to note is that even if you buy the maximum possible equipments and train the staff well, there will be pitfalls and mistakes when you actually start practice. It will take time for the systems to get refined and protocols to be well established. Continuous, regular and strict staff training and retraining will be required.
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Thanks and best regards,
Dr. Veerendra Darakh
Yes on one hand we are trying to eliminate plastics which are causing global damage and on the other hand we are creating non biodegradable waste by using disposable PPEs etc…… Are we justified? Best to use reusable washable n autoclavable stuff in our clinics as far as possible