NOVID

Patients' and clinicians' expectations of and views on a NOVel patIent shield

Summary

Oral diseases are the most common human disease. Following the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic, routine dental care has been suspended in many countries to reduce virus transmission. The aerosol generating nature of most dental procedures and exposure to saliva, blood, and other body fluids makes dental professionals at the greatest risk of COVID-19 amongst all professions.

Given that the COVID-19 pandemic may not be controlled until an effective vaccine is developed, the restrictions on routine dental care and the resultant negative impacts on public oral health and quality of life may sustain for 12 to 18 months. This highlights the need for developing innovative solutions to allow delivering routine dental care in a safe environment.

To address this challenge, we have designed a NOVel patient shield (NOVID) which allows performing aerosol generating procedures without risk of virus transmission. MRC CiC (Confidence in Concept) has funded the prototype development. The Above and Beyond grant will be utilised to carry out Public and Patient Involvement (PPI) activities and to test the alpha prototype. This information will inform a future NIHR i4i grant application.

The NIHR funding will be utilised to further develop and commercialise NOVID and arrange production of NOVID to be immediately used in different settings across the UK. The funding will also be used to demonstrate NOVID to healthcare providers and manufacturers to attract follow-on investment for mass production and also to develop sister products.

Updated 31/12/2021