Transmission Routes and Infection Control of Novel Coronavirus-2019 in Dental Clinics – A Review

Abstract

The novel Coronavirus (nCoV-19) pandemic began in Wuhan, China with Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in December, 2019. The virus transmitted from China to other countries by traveling of the infected individuals. The number of infected populations with Coronavirus is increasing day by day with an increased mortality rate. The signs and symptoms of the disease include fever, non-productive cough, dyspnea, and fatigue. The transmission routes of the virus include respiratory secretions or droplet infection and direct contact with the infected person. Dentists are a group of professionals that are highly exposed to infectious diseases. The nCoV-19 is transmitted from patient to dentist and dentist to patient mainly through aerosol and splatter produced by the dental procedure and saliva of an infected person. To avoid transmission of the virus from patient to dentist and from dentist to other patients, screening tests should be done at dental setups. The use of gloves, face shields, masks, gowns, and antiseptic handwash are mandatory for the dentist. Awareness programs should be conducted to prevent further transmission of the disease. We searched Google, Google Scholar, WHO website for coronavirus and National Institute of Health website (nih.org.pk) for relevant literature by using various MeSH terms including ‘2019-nCoV’, ‘transmission of 2019-nCoV in dental clinics’, ‘dentistry and COVID-19’ and ‘infection control’, etcKey words: COVID-19, Dental clinics, Infection control, Transmission

COVID-19 transmission risk and protective protocols in dentistry: a systematic review

“…Fever, cough, and fatigue have been reported as the major clinical symptoms of the infection following a median incubation period of 3 days, with a great number of infected patients also showing impairment in smell (anosmia) and taste (ageusia) as vital clinical findings in early diagnosis of COVID-19 infection [4]. COVID-19 has similar transmission pathways, but not identical, to those of other SARS-CoV infections, being mainly through the respiratory system [5,6]. Many considerations regarding possible hazardous activities or workplaces have been raised based on both our experience from previous SARS-CoV infections and our observation of the transmission pattern of the SARS-CoV-2 itself in such a short time following its appearance.…”

Assessment of dentists’ awareness and knowledge levels on the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)

“…Therefore, using the appropriate personal protective equipment such as gloves, masks, eyeglasses, and bonnets during routine dental procedures has the utmost importance in the transmission of and infection with various viral and bacterial agents. 6 COVID-19 disease can be transmitted directly by inhalation of aerosolized and airborne particles arising during dental procedures or by direct mucosal contact due to feeding and saliva droplets. 7,8 Besides, studies have shown that the virus can stay alive for specific periods on various objects and surfaces infected by the virus within the last nine days.…”

Self Management Education Healthy Life Behavior towards changes in perception and knowledge of COVID transmission 19

“…This shows that the intervention given by the researcher has an effect on the change of perception and knowledge, Covid 19 is one of the deadliest diseases in the world that is currently a pandemic [17]; [18]; [19]. Covid 19 is an infectious disease caused by coronavirus and is contagious [20]; [21]. The disease is currently a health problem in several countries including Indonesia [8]; [22].…”