Use of Personal Protective Equipment in Dental Care During COVID-19 Outbreaks and Options During Supply Shortages: An Integrative Review

Abstract

Objective: to collate the recommendations on the use, extended use, reuse, and decontamination of personal protective equipment (PPE) in dental care during the COVID-19 outbreak, based on evidence found in the literature. Materials and Methods: searches were made of the following Brazilian and international databases on May 1, 2020: the Virtual Health Library Regional Portal, the Web of Science, and PubMed. The search strategy was based on the query (“individual protective equipment” AND “COVID-19”) and retrieved publications from 2015 to 2020. Oficial infection prevention and control documents from different countries were also analyzed, as well as the recommendations of the American Dental Association. After applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, a total of 20 studies were found to be eligible for the review. Results: there is a dearth of publications relating dentistry and PPE use during the pandemic. The extended use and reuse of respirators (N95, FFP2, FFP3) may be recommended during severe shortages, provided they are not damaged and they seal adequately. Nonwoven fabric gowns, surgical masks, gloves, and caps are singleuse PPE. Eye protection may be reused after cleaning and disinfection. Conclusion: during the epidemic of SARS-CoV-2 we recommend wearing a N95, FFP2, FFP3 or equivalent respirator during aerosol-generating procedures, a face shield, which may be reused after cleaning and disinfection, and an impermeable gown, gloves, and cap, which should be discarded between patients