Dental Practice during COVID-19 Pandemic - A Narrative Review

The corona virus disease (COVID-19) outbreak creates a global health and economic crisis. Due to the risk of cross infection through dental treatments, Dental profession has been made standstill during this COVID-19 pandemic. COVID-19 is also associated with exaggerated inflammatory response that leads to systemic complications resulting in fatal outcome. Majority of patients have symptoms or no symptoms that resemble seasonal flu or influenza comprising of undiagnosed cases. The mode of transmission is mainly through respiratory secretions and direct contact (8). Therefore, asymptomatic dental patients should be considered as potential carriers and it is necessary to follow the guidelines in treating them. This manuscript provides the recommended IPC (infection prevention and control) guidelines and precautionary measures to be undertaken by the dental professionals in treating patients.