Experiences of dental clinical trials management under COVID-19 in China

Abstract

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is responsible for the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Despite progress in pandemic prevention and control, it has always been a difficult task for China to pursue a 'zero COVID-19' strategy. Given the aerosol transmission of COVID-19 and the strict nosocomial infection control in dental hospitals, the execution of clinical trials in oral, dental and craniofacial research have encountered heightened difficulties. During this wave of the pandemic, the Institute of Clinical Trials in our hospital has continuously organised experts to discuss how to improve the management of clinical trials and we have made improvements in their management with the following principles: subject protection being our priority, humanised service being our pursuit and the quality of clinical trials being the cornerstone. Here, we share our experiences and current practices in clinical trial management with our peers worldwide, aiming to promote the management of clinical trials and contribute to the development of stomatology under the constraints of COVID-19 waves.