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Protective Measures Reduce the Risk of Saliva-Related COVID-19 Transmission in the Dental Clinic
TAKE-HOME MESSAGE
- SARS-CoV-2 can be detected in 91.7% of saliva samples, indicating the importance of this fluid in the transmission of infection. Dental procedures generate saliva-contaminated spatters, droplets, and aerosols and methods to ameliorate transmission of virus in the dental clinic are crucial.
- Patient screening, through recognition of symptoms or use of a saliva-based rapid screening test is a critical first step. In addition to standard PPE, during the COVID-19 pandemic, practitioners should also use protective outerwear, a surgical mask/N95 respirator, and shoe covers. Preprocedural mouth rinses can reduce salivary viral load. Extraoral, rather than intraoral imaging studies should be opted for. Rubber dams should be applied and used. Good ventilation and strict, regular surface disinfection with alcohol or chlorine disinfectants should take place.
– Laurie C. Carter, DDS, PhD
abstract
This abstract is available on the publisher's site.
Access this abstract nowSARS-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.
Additional Info
Saliva Is a Non-Negligible Factor in the Spread of COVID-19
Mol Oral Microbiol 2020 Aug 01;35(4)141-145, Y Li, B Ren, X Peng, T Hu, J Li, T Gong, B Tang, X Xu, X ZhouFrom MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.
The paper by Li et al is a short review article that discusses the importance of saliva for the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and the diagnosis of COVID-19. The manuscript describes the possibility of SARS-CoV-2 to infect salivary glands and become a source of the virus. Consequently, salivary glands may also become a potential source of the transmission of SARS-CoV-2. Besides, the authors highlight the importance of a fast and noninvasive screening test for the diagnosis of COVID-19 using saliva. The authors suggest saliva as a primary biofluid due to the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in saliva. Methods for infection control and prevention that could minimize the risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission during a dental procedure were reviewed and discussed. The importance of this manuscript lies in the discussion of the potential infection pathways (eg, salivary gland) for spread of the disease. It further reinforces the importance of additional protective methods to reduce virus transmission during dental procedures.