COVID-19 transmission in dental practice: risks and prevention – narrative review

Abstract

Dentists are on the frontline of infection, especially regarding respiratory viruses like the new coronavirus. The production of aerosols and droplets accompanies many dental procedures. The emergence of severe acute air-droplet disease, respiratory syndrome, or SARS, warrants a revision of the infection control procedures for aerosols. The aim. In this article, we aim to raise awareness of the potential risks of COVID-19 transmission in dental practice and discuss and suggest some preventive measures. Methods. This study reviewed the published research articles and the guidelines of international healthcare institutions on dentistry and COVID-19. We searched Pubmed, Web of Science, and SCOPUS electronic databases using MESH terms. Results. The main way of transmission of the SARS CoV is air-droplet. Thus, healthcare professionals that perform aerosol-generating procedures, i.e. dentists, need to be updated about the origin of the disease. The patient and the dentist often share close contact while ongoing dental treatment; thus, knowledge about the disease and necessary preventive measures is required. In addition to the standard precautions, some special preventive measures that should be implemented during an outbreak of disease have been raised in this review. Conclusions. Following the protective protocols in the COVID-19 crisis is of utmost importance in a dental setting