Originally published here.

There is growing evidence that Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) groups in the UK are at increased risk of deathfrom coronavirus (COVID-19), with Black Afro-Caribbean, Indian, Pakistani and Bangladeshi populations being particularly atrisk. Although the reasons are unclear, it is likely to be a combination of cultural and socioeconomic, as well as the higherprevalence of comorbidities such as high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, raised body mass index (BMI) and type diabetes in these populations.

The NHS is advising that frontline staff of BAME origin should be risk-assessed regarding their safety in working in clinical areas which are at risk of COVID-19. There is, however, little evidence on the risks posed to theBAME community within the dental profession. This paper outlines some of the challenges faced, and advocates that urgentaction needs to be taken to mitigate the risks of COVID-19 and ensure BAME staff safety upon returning to work.

An article published in the Guardian newspaper on 30 April 2020 highlighted that the NHS was providing specific advice for frontline staff from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) groups to undergo a risk assessment for their fitness to work with regards to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The UK, which has one of the highest rates of COVID-19-related deaths globally, reported 276,322 confirmed cases and 39,045 deaths as of 2 June 2020. However, the UK has also registered more than 59,000 more deaths then expected since 20 March 2020, suggesting the direct and indirect impact of COVID-19 may be significantly higher.

Tere is a view that BAME groups are atincreased risk of death from COVID-19 and there is growing evidence to suggest that Black Afro-Caribbean people and those from the Indian subcontinent (India/Pakistan/Bangladesh/Sri Lanka) are particularly at risk. A recent rapid data and evidence review from the Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine (CEBM) found that excess hospital deaths due to COVID-19 were 1.5 times higher than expected for Indians living in the UK, 2.8 times higher for the Pakistani population and 3 times higher for the Bangladeshi population.

 The Black communities’ figures were even higher, with the Black African population having 4.3 times higher hospital deaths than expected. For the Black Caribbean group, it was 2.5 times higher, and for other BAME groups, it was 1.6 times higher. This finding has also been corroborated by the Office for National Statistics (ONS). It is interesting to note that Indian females appear to be at higher risk than their male counterparts, whereas the reverse is true for Bangladeshi/Pakistani and Chinese populations.

Intensive Care National Auditand Research Centre (ICNARC) data have also confirmed increased numbers of COVID-19-related admissions to intensive care from BAME groups in critical care units across the UK during the pandemic. These findings have also been supported by a recent report (COVID-19: Review of Disparities in Risks and Outcomes) published by Public Health England (PHE), which stated those of Bangladeshi ethnicity hadtwice the risk of death from COVID-19 when compared to those of White British ethnicity, and people from other ethnicities (Chinese,Indian, Pakistani, other Asian, Caribbean andother Black ethnicity) had between 10–50%higher risk of death when compared to White British.

Given that the 2011 UK census estimated that 13% of the population, which represents 8.65 million people, are from a BAME background, this represents a significant percentage of the population which may be atrisk from COVID-19.

The urgency of forward planning cannot be over emphasised, given the short timescale before practices open up for patient care. We have to acknowledge the paucity of high-quality evidence to support policy-making and it is vital that this issue is addressed as a matter of urgency. Research funding must be made available and directed towards projects which aim to address the evidence gap that exists within COVID-19 and dentistry. This will not only allow the dental profession to shape the immediate response to the practice of safe dentistry, but also help generate a blueprint for any future pandemics. Any additional risks to staff from COVID-19, whether that is due to ethnicity, health or risk of exposure to COVID-19, should be care fully assessed and factored in when planning areturn to work for the dental profession.

The dental team should be provided with the most relevant and appropriate guidance From dedicated occupational health services and resources, such as PPE, as well as the training to facilitate this into clinical practice. The dental profession must be supported in its drive to return to work to provide ongoing oral healthcare which the population desperately needs. However, safety must continue to take priority, and we must ensure that Every risk is considered diligently and mitigated wherever possible. This must include the risk related to ethnicity and it is importante that there is adequate BAME representation when developing any monitoring or policy development relating to this topic.

You can read the complete article here.

Originally published here.

There is growing evidence that Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) groups in the UK are at increased risk of deathfrom coronavirus (COVID-19), with Black Afro-Caribbean, Indian, Pakistani and Bangladeshi populations being particularly atrisk. Although the reasons are unclear, it is likely to be a combination of cultural and socioeconomic, as well as the higherprevalence of comorbidities such as high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, raised body mass index (BMI) and type diabetes in these populations.

The NHS is advising that frontline staff of BAME origin should be risk-assessed regarding their safety in working in clinical areas which are at risk of COVID-19. There is, however, little evidence on the risks posed to theBAME community within the dental profession. This paper outlines some of the challenges faced, and advocates that urgentaction needs to be taken to mitigate the risks of COVID-19 and ensure BAME staff safety upon returning to work.

An article published in the Guardian newspaper on 30 April 2020 highlighted that the NHS was providing specific advice for frontline staff from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) groups to undergo a risk assessment for their fitness to work with regards to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The UK, which has one of the highest rates of COVID-19-related deaths globally, reported 276,322 confirmed cases and 39,045 deaths as of 2 June 2020. However, the UK has also registered more than 59,000 more deaths then expected since 20 March 2020, suggesting the direct and indirect impact of COVID-19 may be significantly higher.

Tere is a view that BAME groups are atincreased risk of death from COVID-19 and there is growing evidence to suggest that Black Afro-Caribbean people and those from the Indian subcontinent (India/Pakistan/Bangladesh/Sri Lanka) are particularly at risk. A recent rapid data and evidence review from the Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine (CEBM) found that excess hospital deaths due to COVID-19 were 1.5 times higher than expected for Indians living in the UK, 2.8 times higher for the Pakistani population and 3 times higher for the Bangladeshi population.

 The Black communities’ figures were even higher, with the Black African population having 4.3 times higher hospital deaths than expected. For the Black Caribbean group, it was 2.5 times higher, and for other BAME groups, it was 1.6 times higher. This finding has also been corroborated by the Office for National Statistics (ONS). It is interesting to note that Indian females appear to be at higher risk than their male counterparts, whereas the reverse is true for Bangladeshi/Pakistani and Chinese populations.

Intensive Care National Auditand Research Centre (ICNARC) data have also confirmed increased numbers of COVID-19-related admissions to intensive care from BAME groups in critical care units across the UK during the pandemic. These findings have also been supported by a recent report (COVID-19: Review of Disparities in Risks and Outcomes) published by Public Health England (PHE), which stated those of Bangladeshi ethnicity hadtwice the risk of death from COVID-19 when compared to those of White British ethnicity, and people from other ethnicities (Chinese,Indian, Pakistani, other Asian, Caribbean andother Black ethnicity) had between 10–50%higher risk of death when compared to White British.

Given that the 2011 UK census estimated that 13% of the population, which represents 8.65 million people, are from a BAME background, this represents a significant percentage of the population which may be atrisk from COVID-19.

The urgency of forward planning cannot be over emphasised, given the short timescale before practices open up for patient care. We have to acknowledge the paucity of high-quality evidence to support policy-making and it is vital that this issue is addressed as a matter of urgency. Research funding must be made available and directed towards projects which aim to address the evidence gap that exists within COVID-19 and dentistry. This will not only allow the dental profession to shape the immediate response to the practice of safe dentistry, but also help generate a blueprint for any future pandemics. Any additional risks to staff from COVID-19, whether that is due to ethnicity, health or risk of exposure to COVID-19, should be care fully assessed and factored in when planning areturn to work for the dental profession.

The dental team should be provided with the most relevant and appropriate guidance From dedicated occupational health services and resources, such as PPE, as well as the training to facilitate this into clinical practice. The dental profession must be supported in its drive to return to work to provide ongoing oral healthcare which the population desperately needs. However, safety must continue to take priority, and we must ensure that Every risk is considered diligently and mitigated wherever possible. This must include the risk related to ethnicity and it is importante that there is adequate BAME representation when developing any monitoring or policy development relating to this topic.

You can read the complete article here.