COVID-19 and Dentistry in 72 Questions: An Overview of the Literature

Abstract

The outbreak of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has significantly affected the dental care sector. Dental professionals are at high risk of being infected, and therefore transmitting SARS-CoV-2, due to the nature of their profession, with close proximity to the patient’s oropharyngeal and nasal regions and the use of aerosol-generating procedures. The aim of this article is to provide an update on different issues regarding SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 that may be relevant for dentists. Members of the French National College of Oral Biology Lecturers (“Collège National des EnseignantS en Biologie Orale”; CNESBO-COVID19 Task Force) answered seventy-two questions related to various topics, including epidemiology, virology, immunology, diagnosis and testing, SARS-CoV-2 transmission and oral cavity, COVID-19 clinical presentation, current treatment options, vaccine strategies, as well as infection prevention and control in dental practice. The questions were selected based on their relevance for dental practitioners. Authors independently extracted and gathered scientific data related to COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2 and the specific topics using scientific databases. With this review, the dental practitioners will have a general overview of the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on their practice.

Consequences of the COVID-19 Pandemic and Governmental Containment Policies on the Detection and Therapy of Oral Malignant Lesions—A Retrospective, Multicenter Cohort Study from Germany

“…Here, especially radiotherapy of cancer patients in curative intention should not be interrupted, whereas other radiation schedules should be reviewed for their prioritization [34]. Tele-dentistry/medicine was suggested as an alternative for face-to-face outpatient visits [35,36]. In consideration of these various measures, including the closure/partial closure of dental offices during the lockdown in some federal German states and the limitation to the treatment of dental emergencies, it would not be surprising to observe an increase in the number of oral malignant lesions after the lockdown period compared to previous years.…”

The Oral surgery in and after the COVID-19 period from the consultation to the operating room

“…Its recycling or reuse cannot be envisaged at present. The process of autoclaving at 134°C/18 minutes, under saturated steam pressure, does not seem suitable and deteriorates the functional filtration properties of the masks (16) For non-aerosolized procedures, a surgical mask is recommended. However, air exhaled by the wearer through the valve may contaminate the outside environment.…”

“…(9,10,11,14) The dentistry practice involves rotating dental/surgical instruments, which create a high volume of aerosols that may contain a mixture of water, saliva, blood, microorganisms, and other debris. (14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19)(20). If the use of a rotating aerosol-creating instrument is necessary and unavoidable: Use a red or blue-ringed contra-angle handpiece instead of a turbine; Adjust the water flow rate to the minimum necessary, otherwise minimal noncontinuous use of the handpiece at high speed for short periods is not considered to be at risk of producing aerosols from body fluids.…”

Methodology for Addressing Infectious Aerosol Persistence in Real-Time Using Sensor Network

“…The performance of dental procedures for patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 or other infectious diseases can produce long-lived aerosols containing infectious virus particles [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]. Due to the limitation of aerosol-monitoring instruments, there is limited information on the number, size, persistence, and fate of these aerosols in medical facilities and dental offices [ 6 ].…”