Management of dental care during the Covid-19 pandemic: the dental surgeon in front of a new reality

Abstract

Through a literature review, the purpose of this work is to analyze the Covid-19 pandemic, the current state around the virus, to clarify to dental professionals and to discuss the risks and care they should have during the clinical practice. Most infected patients had clinical symptoms such as fever, dry cough, shortness of breath and fatigue. Transmission occurs through human respiratory activities, via direct contact with droplets that can be inhaled or reach the mucous membranes of the mouth, nose or eyes of people who are nearby. Dental care practices are invariably subject to the risk of infection due to the nature of their procedures, which involve face-to-face communication with patients, frequent exposure to saliva, blood and other body fluids. It is necessary to care for the protection of patients and their entire dental team, seeking a safe environment and following the guidelines.