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. 2024 Feb;16(Suppl 1):S63-S66.
doi: 10.4103/jpbs.jpbs_994_23. Epub 2024 Feb 29.

Exploring the Oral Manifestations and Hazards to Dental Professionals During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Scoping Review

Ahmed S A Albalawi  1 , Bader M Alharbi  1 , Faisal G Alruwaili  1 , Shahad A Alanazi  1 , Futun E Alanazi  1 , Asrar H Alanazi  1 , Rakhi Issrani  2 , Mohammad K Alam  2   3   4 , Namdeo Prabhu  5
Affiliations

Exploring the Oral Manifestations and Hazards to Dental Professionals During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Scoping Review

Ahmed S A Albalawi et al. J Pharm Bioallied Sci. 2024 Feb.

Abstract

The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has inundated the whole world by causing severe acute respiratory syndrome in humans, thus posing serious public health concerns. The oral and olfactory systems are significantly impacted by the COVID-19 condition, in addition to the respiratory and digestive systems. Oral symptoms of COVID-19 can be caused by a loss in oral hygiene, immune system suppression, a decline in general health, and candidiasis due to prolonged antibiotic use. Because many aerosols and droplets are produced during various dental operations, dental professionals and dentists are at a significant risk of contracting the COVID-19 infection. Few precautionary measures include performing a pre-appointment health screening for all patients, performing aerosol-producing procedures in a designated space or operatory, using proper personal protective equipment and disinfecting the operatory between patients, and limiting the number of dental procedures at one time. Against this background, the purposes of this article are to explore the oral presentations of COVID-19 infection and to emphasize the hazards to dental professionals during COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, few preventive measures are also highlighted.

Keywords: COVID-19; dentist; infection; pandemic.

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Conflict of interest statement

There are no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Transmission of coronavirus in a dental setting
Figure 2
Figure 2
Dental treatment protocols after the COVID-19 outbreak
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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