Orthodontic treatment pause during covid-19 outbreak: Are we overlooking potential harms to our patients and their treatment outcomes?

Abstract

Introduction: The global outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has led all dental governing bodies across the world to minimize or cancel routine/elective dental procedures and limit dental services to only acute emergency situations. Orthodontic treatment is a long-term treatment that necessitates several appointments. However, if patients are left unsupervised during this pandemic, serious harms might arise apart from acute orthodontic emergencies. Objective: In this article we highlight these harms and their negative impact on patients and the overall success of their treatment. Conclusion: We briefly presented actions needed to be undertaken by orthodontists to gradually allow for recalling patients according to the stage of their treatment to avoid any potential harms to the treatment outcome and avoid any subsequent medicolegal consequences.