Prone Position in Management of COVID-19 Patients and Dentistry

Prone Position in Management of COVID-19 Patients and Dentistry

This term, widely used in intensive care units (ICUs) has gained prominence in recent months because of coronavirus infection (COVID-19).

Patients are faced down on their hospital bed in practice, known as pruning.

This change in the position is often enough to improve lung functionality and reduce the impact of respiratory distress caused by covid-19.

Proning — or placing a patient face-down — minimizes the effects of gravity on the lungs.

Putting the patient with the belly down helps increase the ability to use the lungs to absorb more oxygen.  In this position, the heart no longer weighs heavily on the lung tissue but instead rests against the sternum.

As a result, lung tissue at the back of the thoracic cavity is relieved of the burden of gravity and is more capable of expansion and gas exchange.


In COVID-19, severe patients with Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS) have important dysfunction of the gas exchange made by the lungs.

A primary position is an important tool for improving these exchanges, being a viable option in the treatment since gas exchange would be facilitated. As a result, the patient would improve the oxygenation levels of the body, a fact observed in about 70% to 80% of patients with RDS.

How can dentistry assist patients in prone position?

The patient can be in a prone position for 18 hours per day, even with disabilities, oral hygiene still can be done.


To perform this procedure, the multidisciplinary team must be very well trained as constant manoeuvres are necessary to avoid injuries that may occur, due to the long stay of the patient in the same position.


In the orofacial region, it is very frequent the appearance of lesions in the mentum, cheeks, nose, lips, vestibular mucosa and dental traumas.

Before we carried out any mouth care it was important to ensure that the endotracheal tube cuff was inflated to prevent aspiration, and it was important to note how far the endotracheal tube was in the mouth.


The following recommendations were made for mouth care for proned patients:


Carry out tooth brushing at least once a day ideally with a disposable toothbrush. Try and brush all surfaces of the teeth.

  • Avoid using electric toothbrushes as they generate more aerosol spray.
  • Use a small-headed toothbrush with a long handle for better access.
  • Use a smear of toothpaste or a non-foaming toothpaste on a dry toothbrush to prevent the build-up of secretions.
  • Carry out gentle oral suctioning or use a single-use suction toothbrush.
  • Try to stand to the side of the patient or behind them so your face is not directly in front of their face.
  • Carry out dry mouth care regularly by moistening the mouth with water or using a dry mouth gel on a toothbrush as needed
  • Gently brush the tongue in a forward sweeping action.
  • Make sure the lips are regularly lubricated with a lip balm or water-based gel.

The prone is a technique that can save lives. However, applying the necessary care is essential to mitigate the sequels of a disease that has left many marks. Especially the emotional one.

Dr Adriana Figueiredo Flato

Smile makeovers: Aesthetically and Functionally

Smile makeovers: Aesthetically and Functionally

Dental aesthetics is responsible for providing harmony and beauty to the smile.


When we talk about a “beautiful smile”, we are referring not only to the denture but to three distinctive components that define it, and that must be taken into consideration:

The lips, gums and teeth.


A specialist in dental aesthetics will consider all the components of the patient’s face to achieve a correct harmony. Each person has a unique smile and oral health – a treatment plan for one patient is different to another.


There are some factors that dental professionals typically take into consideration during aesthetic treatment:
The size of teeth
The shape of the teeth
The skin tone
The hair colour
The tooth colour
The gum tissue and lips.

Smiling young woman. Cosmetological teeth whitening in a dental clinic. Selection of the tone of the implant tooth.

A beautiful smile plays a significant role in how people feel about themselves


While many people aren’t satisfied with the appearance of their smile, many are unaware that they can fix it with an aesthetic dentist. Aesthetic dentistry offers simple and effective procedures to completely transform the appearance of a patient’s smile, fixing major and minor imperfections.


To get the best outcome, carefully choose a qualified and specialized dentist to assist you in your needs.

Dr Sunil’s patient


A smile can make significant changes in a patient’s confidence and can change their life. Increased confidence in the patient smile means they’ll smile more often.
After a patient has undergone a smile makeover, the patient will observe that smiles come more often and feel comfortable.


Before a smile makeover, most patients cover their smile, thinking people are watching their teeth. After the treatment, patients feel comfortable smiling, laughing and enjoying themselves.

Smiling gives patients a boost of happiness


Have you ever heard the saying that the best way to make it through a bad day is to smile? Well, it turns out there’s a little truth to it!


Our brain associates smiling with happiness, so when you smile, your body releases endorphins, or ” the happiness hormones.”
The result won’t suddenly transform your day from bad to good, but it’ll give you a little boost of happiness that can help you make it through the day.


Fortunately, nowadays there are many ways that patients can quickly and easily improve their smile through aesthetic dentistry.


In order to get the most out of a smile makeover and achieve the smile you have always dreamed of, be sure to get a professional cosmetic smile assessment with a proven dental specialist who would choose the most appropriate treatment plan for you.