Consistent with the College of Dentistry’s (UPCD) vision statement, the faculty, staff, and students collaborated to address the threats of COVID-19 and the restrictions of the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ). The ECQ imposed limitations on their ability to fully serve not just their patients’ oral health needs but also the community at large. As public service is deeply engrained in each member of UPCD, the virus and lockdown did not keep them from fulfilling their duties.
Dentists all over Metro Manila were unable to open their clinics to attend to the concerns of their patients due to COVID-19. To address this, the UP Dentistry Alumni Association (UPDAA) launched the “UP Dentista Para sa Bayan,” an online teleconsultation portal (facebook.com/updentistaparasabayan March 22, 2020 / Twitter @UPDentistaBayan March 27, 2020) for anyone in need of dental advice. Prospective clients can post their questions and the page will assign a volunteer dentist to attend to their concerns in private. All consultations are free for the duration of the community quarantine.
To further reach the people nationwide, radio, television, and news agencies have broadcasted the efforts of our graduates in addressing the urgent oral health concerns of Filipinos.
The first ever continuing education webinar entitled “Trash Talk: Dental Waste Disposal in the New Normal” was offered by the tripartite of UPCD, UP Dental Alumni Association, and the Academy of Dentistry International, Philippine Section to help prepare dentists for the new normal in the practice of dentistry.
UPCD faculty and students responded and continue to volunteer at the UP PGH Bayanihan Na! Operations Center. UPCD alumni were mobilized to volunteer at the UP Philippine General Hospital to do swab testing for its employees and patients.
On the home front, the student advisers, student council, and student relations officer regularly check on the UPCD students. Counselling and Emergency hotlines are available for students who need someone to talk to. As there were several students who were stranded in Metro Manila, food and other necessities were donated by faculty and friends. Donations for frontliners from UPCD constituents and alumni varied from food, PPEs, disinfectants, and tooth brushing kits, among others. Meanwhile, UPCD opened its doors to frontliners by providing a temporary shelter for the UPM-PGH guards and PhilCare employees.
Dr. Jessica Santos | Published in Healthscape Special COVID-19 Issue No. 6
