RESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: To analyze the challenges and impacts of COVID-19 on the routine of Brazilian oral radiologists regarding changes in biosafety protocols, number of patients and staff, the flow of acquisition, and availability of images. METHODS: Structured digital questionnaires with questions related to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on Oral Radiology were applied and analyzed. Descriptive statistical analysis was used to describe the items included in the survey, and means and standard deviations were calculated to describe continuous variables and frequency percentages to describe categorical data. RESULTS: A high number of Brazilian oral radiologists continued to work in the pandemic period, with little or no change in their working hours. Digital flow and teleradiology are in most of their workplaces and the changes imposed by the pandemic will be incorporated and permanent, according to most of the participants in this study. CONCLUSIONS: The COVID-19 pandemic brought important impacts on radiology clinics, with changes in the flow of patients, in the service and in the type of exam performed. In addition, adaptation to biosafety standards became necessary, with a significant increase in spending on personal protective equipment.
Asunto(s)
COVID-19 , Humanos , Pandemias , SARS-CoV-2 , Brasil/epidemiología , RadiólogosRESUMEN
This letter addresses the challenges for the dental radiology clinic in times of the COVID-19 pandemic. It highlights the use of teleradiography and mobile devices, as well as the proper care in disinfecting these equipments. As there are still no specific therapies for COVID-19, biosafety measures that promote containment and prevent the spread of the virus are crucial to stop the outbreak and control a possible new infectious peak.