Dental Setting Design Guideline Adaptation in the COVID-19 Pandemic in Northern Thailand

Abstract

Criteria for dental clinic design in Thailand are recommended by the Design and Construction Division, Department of Health Service Support, Ministry of Public Health. During the Coronavirus disease pandemic (COVID-19), there were several procedures regarding dental operations and infection prevention suggested by researchers and international health organizations, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the World Health Organization (WHO). However, some criteria still have discrepancies in practice, since they have no definite correct answers. This research describes the dental clinic redesign for COVID-19 control using dental setting design guidelines in both Thailand and foreign countries. The re-designed planning of the clinic was reviewed by dentists, engineers, and physicians. The issue of concern is the cost and the design’s value in the disinfection of facilities. Significant proven methods of disinfection are used in this paper, including functional re-consideration, negative air pressure rooms, filters, Ultra-Violet devices, and ozonators. This research contributes to the literature by providing a functional diagram for dental clinic adjustment in the COVID-19 situation. The 12 air changes per hour (ACH) ventilation combined with management protocol ensures that patients’ safety is a priority and provides a feasible option for adaptation in a developing country such as Thailand.