Dentists are collectively helping to reduce stress on the NHS

Dentists have reported that they collectively helping to reduce stress on the NHS by delivering c-sections, as well as assisting in maternity, the emergency department and the critical care unit. As a result of this, dentists have revealed that there is a limited cover for dental emergencies, due to dentists being redeployed to meet the demands of COVID-19.

A Consultant in Restorative Dentistry and the co-ordinator for a project that is producing visors for NHS staff, Professor Shakeel Shahdad, stated: “As part of the large NHS Trust, we knew early on the redeployment was on the cards. Currently, our dental hospital space is being used for chemotherapy. This has allowed for space being made available in the main hospital for COVID patients. I felt there was a need for better face protection when we were being fit tested in the dental hospital. The project started as a small idea with one of my ex scholars help design something based in India. I very quickly had colleagues from QMUL departments and Keratify, a QMUL spinoff company, come on board to work through multiple variations in design and concept. Our idea was to work on a technically challenging and difficult concept but the manufactured product for end-user had to be very user friendly, easy yet adjustable and reusable after appropriate disinfection.”