tetano
Editor, Senior Moderator
Mol Oral Microbiol. 2020 May 4. doi: 10.1111/omi.12289. [Epub ahead of print]
Saliva is a non-negligible factor in the spread of COVID-19.
Li Y[SUP]1[/SUP], Ren B[SUP]1[/SUP], Peng X[SUP]1[/SUP], Hu T[SUP]1[/SUP], Li J[SUP]1[/SUP], Gong T[SUP]1[/SUP], Tang B[SUP]1[/SUP], Xu X[SUP]1[/SUP], Zhou X[SUP]1[/SUP].
Author information
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2, a novel emerging coronavirus, has caused severe disease (COVID-19), and rapidly spread worldwide since the beginning of 2020. SARS-CoV-2 mainly spreads by coughing, sneezing, droplet inhalation, and contact. SARS-CoV-2 has been detected in saliva samples, making saliva a potential transmission route for COVID-19. The participants in dental practice confront a particular risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection due to close contact with the patients and potential exposure to saliva-contaminated droplets and aerosols generated during dental procedures. In addition, saliva-contaminated surfaces could lead to potential cross-infection. Hence, the control of saliva-related transmission in the dental clinic is critical, particularly in the epidemic period of COVID-19. Based on our experience of the COVID-19 epidemic, some protective measures that can help reduce the risk of saliva-related transmission are suggested, in order to avoid the potential spread of SARS-CoV-2 among patients, visitors, and dental practitioners.
This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
KEYWORDS:
Clinical practice guidelines; Dental public health; Epidemiology; Infection control; Infectious disease(s); Oral medicine
PMID:32367576DOI:10.1111/omi.12289
Saliva is a non-negligible factor in the spread of COVID-19.
Li Y[SUP]1[/SUP], Ren B[SUP]1[/SUP], Peng X[SUP]1[/SUP], Hu T[SUP]1[/SUP], Li J[SUP]1[/SUP], Gong T[SUP]1[/SUP], Tang B[SUP]1[/SUP], Xu X[SUP]1[/SUP], Zhou X[SUP]1[/SUP].
Author information
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2, a novel emerging coronavirus, has caused severe disease (COVID-19), and rapidly spread worldwide since the beginning of 2020. SARS-CoV-2 mainly spreads by coughing, sneezing, droplet inhalation, and contact. SARS-CoV-2 has been detected in saliva samples, making saliva a potential transmission route for COVID-19. The participants in dental practice confront a particular risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection due to close contact with the patients and potential exposure to saliva-contaminated droplets and aerosols generated during dental procedures. In addition, saliva-contaminated surfaces could lead to potential cross-infection. Hence, the control of saliva-related transmission in the dental clinic is critical, particularly in the epidemic period of COVID-19. Based on our experience of the COVID-19 epidemic, some protective measures that can help reduce the risk of saliva-related transmission are suggested, in order to avoid the potential spread of SARS-CoV-2 among patients, visitors, and dental practitioners.
This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
KEYWORDS:
Clinical practice guidelines; Dental public health; Epidemiology; Infection control; Infectious disease(s); Oral medicine
PMID:32367576DOI:10.1111/omi.12289