COVID‐19: its impact on dental schools in Italy, clinical problems in endodontic therapy and general considerations

• Published in: International Endodontic Journal 2020-05, Vol.53 (5), p.723-725
• Main Authors: Prati, C., Pelliccioni, G. A., Sambri, V., Chersoni, S., Gandolfi, M. G.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Betacoronavirus; Coronavirus; Coronavirus Infections; COVID-19; Dentistry; Italy; Letter to the Editor; Pandemics; Pneumonia, Viral; SARS-CoV-2; Schools, Dental
• ISSN: 0143-2885; 1365-2591; 1365-2591
• DOI: 10.1111/iej.13291

The contact between the mouth of the patients and the production of aerosols through the use of high‐speed handpieces would appear to create a substantial risk for contamination and spread of the virus within dental clinics. [...]routine endodontic therapies and emergency treatments are high risk for virus contamination. Triaging patients to detect by the history any with respiratory infection, flu, acute respiratory illness, conjunctivitis and cardiovascular abnormalities; Separation of patients with respiratory symptoms to limit their contact with dental staff, students and patients; Avoiding dental treatment if at all possible; Regular, meticulous and effective hand washing with no touching of face, eyes etc; use of face masks; Decontamination of all surfaces within clinics with 0.1% sodium hypochlorite or 70% ethanol or 0.5% hydrogen peroxide, which are disinfectants already available in dental clinics (Kampf et al. 2020); Respiratory hygiene/cough etiquette – use of tissues (Catch, Bin, Kill; https://www.england.nhs.uk/south/wp‐content/uploads/sites/6/2017/09/catch‐bin‐kill.pdf); Special precautions by dentists and assistants to prevent contamination from air droplets: [...]