Clinical Dental Care: Is There a Risk of SARS-CoV2 Infection?

Abstract

Dear Editor, Today, visit the Dental Care Clinic may increase the risk of SARS-CoV2 [1], infection, caused by exposure of salivary fluids to aerosol generators, which are common in dental equipment. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), dentists and their staff are placed in the category of a very high risk of exposure, as dentists work near the patient's oral cavity [2]. In addition, dental procedures involve the use of rotating instruments such as handpieces and scalers, which generate aerosols. Therefore, a better understanding of the transmission mechanisms, clinical features and testing methods of the virus is needed to help form protocols for dental practices to identify cases and prevent further spread of infection to patients and dental staff. Although biosecurity protocols have been developed that attempt to minimize the possibility of infection, it is not certain whether they prevent transmission of the infection [3,4]. So, what should be done? Are the dentists and patients who use these protocols safe?