Disgraceful W.H.O. Dental Article Misleads the Public

Q: I read on Reuters and the NY Times on line that we are supposed to only seek out emergency and urgent dental work until the Covid-19 risk is known. If this is the case, then why are all doctors allowed to do elective procedures in every State since around May 4th?

A: I have seen a lot of claims, or should I say lies, over the years perusing the internet: Gadgets that claim to eliminate flossing, foods to eat that eliminate bad breath, edible sticky notes. (That’s right, jot down a phone number, stick it on the fridge, and when you don’t need it, enjoy a tasty treat! Probably goes great with a sip of vintage Liquid Paper, to erase last night’s leftovers.)

Unequivocally, the most egregious, misguided recommendation I have ever seen in my 32+ years of practice is last week’s W.H.O. article, claiming we should delay all dental visits until more is known about the covid 19 virus.

This is completely false, and dangerous advice from the same organization that stated on January 14th 2020: “preliminary investigations conducted by the Chinese authorities have found no clear evidence of human-to-human transmission of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) identified in Wuhan, China.”

 The WHO continued to hide the mishandlings of China’s leadership (not its citizens) of the outbreak, as they continued to allow travel form China to Milan Italy and the rest of the world.

Points:

• In the same article the WHO states: “There is currently no data on the spread of the virus from the dentist’s chair” and “stopped short of confirming that the virus spreads through the air” via aerosols.
• The ADA: “To date, there have been no documented cases of Covid 19 being transmitted to or from patients in dental offices.”
• No other surgeons have been told to stop elective procedures such as orthopedic surgeries which create aerosols by using bone drills and saws, irrigated with saline.
• Delaying hygienist visits and dental procedures of all types leads to extensive and expensive dental work, as well as higher risks for cardio vascular disease (heart attack and strokes), diabetes, pulmonary disease, Alzheimer’s and pre-mature births.

For more details and the official response from the ADA, drop us an email and I will send the documents.