Recommendation for Screening and Dental Management during COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

The coronavirus 2019 or COVID-19 is an emerging disease that causes symptoms in the respiratory system by destroying lung tissue and lung function. The first incidence of this disease was reported in December 2019 and then the epidemic spread globally at a very high rate as the virus is contracted by coughing or sneezing secretions through droplets, aerosol transmission or through contact transmission. Dental personnel are at very high risk of droplet or aerosol transmission through saliva from the patients particularly during dental procedures when the personnel and the patients are unable to maintain physical distance. From previous studies since the beginning of SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, it was found that many infected patients did not display clinical symptoms but were capable of spreading the disease. It is necessary for dental personnel to understand the modes of transmission of the disease and follow the clinical practice guidelines in order to maintain highest safety and minimum effect from the spreading of the disease. The summarized clinical practice guidelines of adjusting the system for dental patient care in order to deal with the pandemic has started with patient screening and appointments, with the next step is to arrange the surroundings and process in order to maintain social distance. A standard precaution with strict droplet and airborne transmission-based precautions are a new normal, including the use of personal protective equipment. Dental personnel need to prevent unnecessary aerosol production during the procedure in addition to disinfection of the equipment and surface. Air purification system is a huge turning point in the cooperation of dental personnel in order to create a new standard of dental care. As the pandemic continues to expand, research and discussions are ongoing to determine how best to tackle it.