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During the covid-19 pandemic the most affected population is the elderly people particularly those with co-morbid conditions. Most of the elderly persons live with some or the other systemic problems and they are affected by the present pandemic. The estimated mortality due to covid-19 in people older than 76 years of age is reported 18% which is quite higher than all age groups estimation. This is the reason that considering the higher risk, the elderly people have to take extra precautions.
Elderly persons are not only affected by the medical problems but also most of them need the Prosthodontic rehabilitation. In the covid-19 pandemic, they are advised to take the extra precautions against any exposure to the corona virus. Such people do not turn up for the prosthodontic rehabilitation since it is not an emergency treatment. This situation definitely affects their nutrition. During this Corona period not only the health sector, but the economic sector too is equally affected, increasing the suffering of the elderly people. As such treating the geriatric patients who are missing all the teeth or few teeth, with a removable prosthesis or fixed type implant supported prosthesis, the cost of treatment is higher in view of the income of a common man. During corona pandemic the cost is also increased due to the added cost of taking special precautions for the virus by a prosthodontist.
It is a good news for the whole world that the vaccine for covid-19 has completed the phases necessary to be allowed for emergency use in human. Though the United Kingdom was the first country to approve the emergency use of corona vaccine, we the Indians should be proud of our scientists for their successful effort to complete the corona vaccine trial almost at the same time and getting the approval for the emergency use for our Indian people. Covaxin and Covishield are the two vaccines which got approval from the government after recommendations from Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) on 3rd of January 2021 and most probably the vaccination programme will begin from 13th January 2021. Hence, it is very important to know that the government has a plan to vaccinate the people on priority basis. In the first phase, the health workers and elderly people will be in the priority list. So from the prosthodontist’s point of view it is overwhelming that the older persons will get the prosthodontic treatment without any fear and apprehension once they get the shot of vaccine and develop the antibodies for the corona virus.
For More Info, Visit: https://www.santosh.ac.in/dental-departments/prosthodontics
