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Review
. 2020 May;46(5):584-595.
doi: 10.1016/j.joen.2020.03.008. Epub 2020 Apr 6.

Coronavirus Disease 19 (COVID-19): Implications for Clinical Dental Care

Amber Ather  1 , Biraj Patel  2 , Nikita B Ruparel  2 , Anibal Diogenes  2 , Kenneth M Hargreaves  2
Affiliations
Review

Coronavirus Disease 19 (COVID-19): Implications for Clinical Dental Care

Amber Ather et al. J Endod. 2020 May.

Abstract

The recent spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and its associated coronavirus disease has gripped the entire international community and caused widespread public health concerns. Despite global efforts to contain the disease spread, the outbreak is still on a rise because of the community spread pattern of this infection. This is a zoonotic infection, similar to other coronavirus infections, that is believed to have originated in bats and pangolins and later transmitted to humans. Once in the human body, this coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) is abundantly present in nasopharyngeal and salivary secretions of affected patients, and its spread is predominantly thought to be respiratory droplet/contact in nature. Dental professionals, including endodontists, may encounter patients with suspected or confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection and will have to act diligently not only to provide care but at the same time prevent nosocomial spread of infection. Thus, the aim of this article is to provide a brief overview of the epidemiology, symptoms, and routes of transmission of this novel infection. In addition, specific recommendations for dental practice are suggested for patient screening, infection control strategies, and patient management protocol.

Keywords: COVID-19; Coronavirus; SARS-CoV-2; dental; endodontics; severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
A screenshot of an interactive map of the global cases of COVID-19 by the Center for Systems Science and Engineering at Johns Hopkins University. This dashboard is continually updated and can be accessed at https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html. Site accessed April 9, 2020.
Figure 2
Figure 2
A list of online resources for COVID-19.
Figure 3
Figure 3
An overview of patient screening for COVID-19 and dental management.
Figure 4
Figure 4
COVID-19 screening questionnaire.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Assessment of a true emergency questionnaire.
Figure 6
Figure 6
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations for putting on and removing personal protective equipment for treating COVID-19 patients. From: https://www.cdc.gov/hai/pdfs/ppe/ppe-sequence.pdf. Site accessed March 17, 2020.
Figure 6
Figure 6
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations for putting on and removing personal protective equipment for treating COVID-19 patients. From: https://www.cdc.gov/hai/pdfs/ppe/ppe-sequence.pdf. Site accessed March 17, 2020.
Figure 6
Figure 6
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations for putting on and removing personal protective equipment for treating COVID-19 patients. From: https://www.cdc.gov/hai/pdfs/ppe/ppe-sequence.pdf. Site accessed March 17, 2020.
Figure 7
Figure 7
Recommendations for dental emergency management during COVID-19 outbreak.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Comment in

References

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