Prevention of viral and bacterial infections at a dental appointment. Part 1. Microbiome of the oral cavity and risks of infection in dental offices

Abstract

Prevention of viral and bacterial infection of patients and medical personnel is especially relevant in dental institutions. An analysis of the literature of recent years shows that the risk of such infection is due to the work of a dentist “face to face” with a patient, the formation of airborne aerosols by turbine installations, the use of ultrasound and “Air-flow”, small and large dental instruments. The COVID-19 epidemic has shown how important measures are to prevent infection with viral infections, including in medical institutions. Among the viruses, RNA and DNA containing influenza viruses, herpes simplex, human papillomavirus, cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr virus, Zika virus, SARS-CoV-2 are quite contagious. Transmission of human immunodeficiency viruses, hepatitis and others is possible. Bacterial infection from the oral cavity during dental manipulations, especially accompanied by bleeding, can also enter the bloodstream, provoking the development of bacteremia and its more serious consequences in the form of endocarditis, meningitis and other life-threatening general pathology. The first part of the review contains information about the properties of these viruses, methods of infection and diseases caused by them. The second part will be devoted to methods of prevention of viral and bacterial infection in the conditions of the stomatological office.