COVID-19 and Dentistry — Are we Ready

Abstract

The pandemic of coronavirus infection 2019 (COVID-19) started from Wuhan, China, in December a year ago and has become a significant test to general wellbeing China as well as nations around the globe. Affecting the population of 4,735,622 in the world and leads to the death of 316,289 till 19th May 2020, according to reports of WHO. The COVID-19 spread rapidly by a human to human contact through small droplets from mouth and nose. Other possible routes of transmission for COVID-19, include airborne spread via aerosols produces during dental procedures. The dentists are at higher risk of getting infected by coronavirus disease with many routine dental procedures having the possibility to transmit the virus through aerosols. During the time of COVID-19 pandemic disease, the health care workers should be provided with protective apparatus including face shields, goggles, mask, gloves, gown or coverall, headcover and rubber boots. American Dental Association has maintained a consistency neutral stance since the pandemic was recognized. They appealed dental health care workers to put off elective dental procedures for dental patients and to provide only urgent dental care. Essential phone screening to distinguish suspected patients or likely COVID-19 contaminated can be correctly done during routine dental arrangements. This review highlights on the structure of coronavirus, its modes of communication, how dental health care workers are at higher risk, urgent dental procedures that should only begin during the crisis and basis preventive measures taken by dental health care workers.