Dental healthcare professionals (DHCP) - how competent are we to battle the new foe? The severe acute respiratory syndrome CoronaVirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2)

Abstract

The outbreak of a pneumonia like disease was reported in China towards the end of 2019. It was later found that, a novel Corona Virus (nCoV) was the causative agent. In January 2020, China shared the genomic sequence of this virus, which was similar to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Corona Virus (SARS-CoV), and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Corona Virus (MERS-CoV). This virus was named as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Corona Virus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) and the pneumonia caused by it was called as Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). The World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 to be a pandemic owing to the uncontrolled spread and the threat caused by the virus. Thereafter, the rapid spread of COVID-19, keeps continuing to cause chaos and catastrophe to mankind. Though mortality ranges about 1-3%, with mild variations worldwide, the rate of infectivity is much higher than SARS-CoV. The understanding on the pathogenesis of this virus remains mysterious and unclear. As frontline warriors against the COVID-19 battle, Healthcare Professionals, are more susceptible to succumb to this disease. Dental healthcare professionals (DHCP), owing to a closer contact with patients, during dental operating procedures are at a higher risk of acquiring and spreading the infection due to increased aerosol production. This review, gives an insight about the structure, transmission characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 and the possibility of spread through aerosol. It also highlights the precautions and safety measures that need to be followed within the dental operatory setting.