SARS-CoV-2 Infection: General Characteristics and Specific in Dental Practice

The transmission of the coronavirus and possible routes of infection are still unclear. The most common routes of infection in humans are direct transmission through respiratory droplets and salivа when coughing or sneezing and indirect transmission through contaminated surfaces. Most of the infected people after the incubation period have clinical manifestations with mild or moderate respiratory tract infections (RTIs). Physician of dental medicine performs aerosol procedures which transmit the virus directly from healthy people. Oral fluids, blood, conjunctiva, nasal, and oral mucosa are also a source of infection, so they are highly exposed to the virus, much more than other medical staff and therefore it is crucial to establish appropriate protocols and prevention strategies. Under conditions of a declared global pandemic, dentists are advised to stop their work of all cases that are not urgent. If the dental office is one of those that provide the necessary and urgent medical attention, it is necessary to strictly implement control measures to prevent infection. The basic protocols for the operation of the dental offices have been published by the Dental Chamber of Macedonia and they are recommendations regarding the procedures for the maintenance of the hygiene of the medical staff and the working space. Recent experience has shown that dental health-care services are often neglected and inadequately treated in epidemics. Dental workers are particularly exposed to RTIs due to their specific field and mode of operation, so the current experience will prepare them for future challenges.