COVID ‑19: Implications on dental profession and precautionary guidelines

The current global spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS ‑CoV‑2) andits associated coronavirus disease (COVID ‑19), has grasped the attention of entire internationalcommunity and has caused widespread public health concerns. All the efforts taken globally to curtailthe novel COVID ‑19; the outbreak is still on a rise owing to the community spread pattern of thisinfection. COVID ‑19 is a zoonotic infection that, like other coronavirus infections, is believed to havebeen originated in bats and pangolins, and later transmitted to humans. Once in the human body, thiscoronavirus (SARS ‑CoV‑2) is abundantly present in nasopharyngeal and salivary secretions of affectedpatients and its spread is predominantly thought to be respiratory droplet in nature. Dental professionalsmay soon encounter patients with suspected or confirmed SARS ‑CoV‑2 infection and will have to actcarefully not only to provide care but at the same time prevent spread of infection. Thus, the aim of thisarticle is to provide a brief overview of the epidemiology, symptoms and routes of spread of the novelCOVID ‑19 infection. In addition to this, specific recommendations for dental practice are prescribedfor patient screening, infection control strategies, and patient management protocol.Key Words: Coronavirus, coronavirus disease, dental professional, dentistry, infection control,pandemic, severe acute respiratory syndrome
Source: Dental Research Journal - Category: Dentistry Source Type: research