DOI: 10.3290/j.qi.a44392, PubMed ID (PMID): 32328595Pages 418-429, Language: EnglishAbramovitz, Itzhak / Palmon, Aaron / Levy, David / Karabucak, Bekir / Kot-Limon, Nurit / Shay, Boaz / Kolokythas, Antonia / Almoznino, GalitObjectives: This paper is aimed at addressing the urgent need to develop a protocol that will address the operatory and clinical aspects of dental care during the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak.
Data sources: The epidemiology, clinical signs and symptoms, and modes of transmission of COVID-19 are presented. This protocol was established as an international collaboration of three dental universities: Hadassah School of Dental Medicine, Israel; University of Rochester Medical Center, USA; and the University of Pennsylvania, USA. This protocol is based on a detailed review of the existing English language literature as well on the logistic and clinical experience of each facility and the opinion of the authors. The protocol is designed for a hospital setting and includes considerations related to dental treatment in both healthy subjects and those suspected or diagnosed with COVID-19. The first part of this review discusses operatory considerations; the second part discusses general dental clinical aspects; the third part discusses endodontic considerations; and the fourth part discusses surgical aspects. This protocol may be applicable to other future similar pandemics.
Conclusion: Logistic and clinical steps are required to provide dental care during the COVID-19 outbreak while preventing cross-contamination and protecting the dental team during the provision of care.
Keywords: coronavirus, COVID-19, dental, endodontics, infection control, pulpitis
