Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19): Emerging and Future Challenges for Dental and Oral Medicine

TLDR

COVID‑19, declared a global public health emergency by the WHO, poses a high risk of cross‑infection in dental settings, underscoring the need for stringent infection control measures. The article aims to urgently establish strict infection‑control protocols for dental practices and hospitals in COVID‑19‑affected areas. The authors draw on experience, guidelines, and research to outline essential COVID‑19 knowledge and recommend management protocols for dental practitioners and students. By February 26, 2020, COVID‑19 had spread to 34 countries, with 80,239 confirmed cases and 2,700 deaths.

Abstract

The epidemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), originating in Wuhan, China, has become a major public health challenge for not only China but also countries around the world. The World Health Organization announced that the outbreaks of the novel coronavirus have constituted a public health emergency of international concern. As of February 26, 2020, COVID-19 has been recognized in 34 countries, with a total of 80,239 laboratory-confirmed cases and 2,700 deaths. Infection control measures are necessary to prevent the virus from further spreading and to help control the epidemic situation. Due to the characteristics of dental settings, the risk of cross infection can be high between patients and dental practitioners. For dental practices and hospitals in areas that are (potentially) affected with COVID-19, strict and effective infection control protocols are urgently needed. This article, based on our experience and relevant guidelines and research, introduces essential knowledge about COVID-19 and nosocomial infection in dental settings and provides recommended management protocols for dental practitioners and students in (potentially) affected areas.