2019-Ncov - Controls and Routes of Transmission in Dental Practice

Abstract

BACK GR O U ND Since the emergence of nCoV-19, till date it has affected several countries. This disease which is now called COVID-19 [(termed by World Health Organization (WHO)] is caused by a novel coronavirus, labelled as severe acute respiratoy syndrome-Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) (termed by International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses). Belonging to the family of Coronaviridae, of the order Nidovirales, it comprises of large, solitary, plus-stranded ribo nucleic acid (RNA) in their genome. The 2019-nCoV explored in Wuhan belongs to the β-CoV according to the phylogenetic analysis based on the viral genome, and it chiefly infects the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and central nervous system of humans and mammals. Its primary means of spread is either directly or indirectly by the means of droplets via the respiratory tract and fomites respectively. The most common routinely used instruments in the field of dentistry include airotors in the form of rotatory instruments and other surgical instruments. In the meantime, these instruments produce aerosols in the form of both larger and smaller droplets which generally consist of saliva, blood, microorganisms and other debris. Therefore due to possible aerosol and droplet production in the dental profession, nCoV-19 poses a significant risk of infection transmission. To combat nCoV-19, it is essential for a dental clinician to finely tune the protective approaches by concentrating towards the patient safety, personal protective gear and maintaining the hand hygiene. In addition to its modes of diffusion in dentistry, some other important themes like management of the patient, patient instructions and guidelines that a dentist should follow in day to day practice have been raised in this review. KEY WORDS 2019-nCov; Transmission; Dental Guidelines; Epidemiology