Infection control in dental health care during and after the SARS‐CoV‐2 outbreak

• Published in: Oral diseases Vol. 27; no. S3; pp. 674 - 683
• Main Authors: Volgenant, Catherine M. C., Persoon, Ilona F., Ruijter, Rolf A. G., Soet, J. J. (Hans)
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Denmark Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01-04-2021; John Wiley and Sons Inc
• Subjects: Coronaviruses; COVID-19; Delivery of Health Care; Dental Care; Dental health; dentistry; Disease control; Disease Outbreaks; Health care; Health Personnel; Humans; Infection Control; Infections; infectious disease transmission; Infectious Disease Transmission, Patient-to-Professional - prevention & control; Infectious diseases; Medical personnel; Oral cavity; Public Health Dentistry; Review; SARS-CoV-2; Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2; SARS-CoV-2; infection control; Public Health Dentistry; dentistry; infectious disease transmission
• ISSN: 1354-523X; 1601-0825
• DOI: 10.1111/odi.13408

COVID‐19 is an emerging infectious disease caused by the widespread transmission of the coronavirus SARS‐CoV‐2. Some of those infected become seriously ill. Others do not show any symptoms, but can still contribute to transmission of the virus. SARS‐CoV‐2 is excreted in the oral cavity and can be spread via aerosols. Aerosol generating procedures in dental health care can increase the risk of transmission of the virus. Due to the risk of infection of both dental healthcare workers and patients, additional infection control measures for all patients are strongly recommended when providing dental health care. Consideration should be given to which infection control measures are necessary when providing care in both the current situation and in the future.