Facial Swelling in the Presence of a COVID-19 Diagnosis: Case Report

Abstract

COVID-19 became a pandemic with a worldwide impact leading to stay-at-home orders, death, economic difficulties, and a significant influence on daily lives. Dental services became limited at this time, causing increased concerns for patients requiring urgent dental care. We report the case of a 5-year-old previously healthy male who presented to our hospital’s emergency department (ED) with facial swelling secondary to infected maxillary left molars. Extractions were performed in the ED with moderate sedation. He was later found to be COVID-19 positive before admission for intravenous antibiotics. The use of universal precautions during the pandemic in treating patients with possible COVID-19 symptoms and in aerosol-generating procedures is recommended. Evaluating and providing treatment to our patients with urgent dental care should not be delayed to prevent further complications and decrease the burden placed on the ED, which may be limited in its ability to provide definitive care.

Keywords

• pandemic
• COVID-19
• dental
• emergency department