The world is its own best model: modelling and future pandemic planning in dentistry

The coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has and continues to create a huge number of challenges to the global
economy and its associated healthcare systems, including dentistry. In the early stages, we have had to rely on
mathematical modelling and plans developed from previous healthcare emergencies. As the emergency develops, it
is vitally important that policymakers understand the diference between the science and the real-world evidence so
that policy can adapt rapidly to the changing environment. Efective management of future crises will require open
channels of communication across the whole profession, not only to collect, clean, curate and evaluate data but also
to assess the benefts and harms of any policy change.