2019-nCoV routes, current trends and future dental challenges in India

Abstract

Coronavirus outbreak (2019-nCoV) emerged as a global health threat. World Health Organization (WHO) unveiled it as an international emergent situation. 2019-nCoV person-to-person transmission typically occurs through cough-ing, sneezing, droplet inhaling, and surface touch. Containment measures are needed to prevent further spread. It is worth mentioning that the risk of cross-infection among patients and dentists are high as oral investigations and treatment measures involve one-on-one contact, exposure to blood, saliva, and other bodily fluids. Therefore, effective countermeasures shall be planned to inhibit 2019-nCoV transmission in the dental setting as well. This review article highlights the essential knowledge of possible transmission routes of 2019-nCoV in dental settings. It also focuses on effective practice to be fol-lowed by dental health care practitioners (DHCP) to block the routes of transmission in dental clinics and hospitals. The article also attempts to highlight future challenges involved in a dental setting in India. This review will be espe-cially helpful for dentists and maxillofacial in following the informed guidelines to prevent the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19).