Coronavirus (COVID-19): A dental surgeon's approach

Abstract

In the past many years, different viruses have created an atmosphere of menace, all over the world. In 2003, severe acute respiratory syndrome epidemic, 2009 H1N1 influenza pandemic, 2014 Middle East respiratory syndrome epidemic, and recently to join the list is the deadly novel coronavirus, COVID-19. It is a global health emergency with implications for all the sections of the society, including health-care professionals. In the current scenario of panic, the health-care professionals, including dental surgeons have to play a pivotal role in the prevention of the future spread of COVID-19. Dental practice being a major route of aerosols, dentists definitely will have to contribute handsomely toward this end. This article attempts to draw the attention of dental surgeons toward the etiology, transmission, and prevention of COVID-19 infection, with special emphasis on infection control measures as they relate to COVID-19 infection.

Keywords

• covid-19
• dental surgeon
• dentistry
• prevention