Authors: Itzhak Abramovitz, DMD/Aaron Palmon, DMD, PhD/David Levy, DMD, MS/Bekir Karabucak, DMD, MS/Nurit Kot-Limon, DMD/Boaz Shay, DMD, PhD/ Antonia Kolokythas, DDS, MSc/Galit Almoznino, DMD, MSc, MHA
Objectives: This paper is aimed at addressing the urgent need to develop a protocol that will address the operatory and clinical aspects of dental care during the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak. Data sources: The epidemiology, clinical signs and symptoms, and modes of transmission of COVID-19 are presented. This protocol was established as an international collaboration of three dental universities: Hadassah School of Dental Medicine, Israel; University of Rochester Medical Center, USA; and the University of Pennsylvania, USA. This protocol is based on a detailed review of the existing English language literature as well on the logistic and clinical experience of each facility and the opinion of the authors. The protocol is designed for a hospital setting and includes considerations related to dental treatment in both healthy subjects and those suspected or diagnosed with COVID-19. The first part of this review discusses operatory considerations; the second part discusses general dental clinical aspects; the third part discusses endodontic considerations; and the fourth part discusses surgical aspects. This protocol may be applicable to other future similar pandemics. Conclusion: Logistic and clinical steps are required to provide dental care during the COVID-19 outbreak while preventing cross-contamination and protecting the dental team during the provision of care. (Quintessence Int 2020;51: 418–429; doi: 10.3290/j.qi.a44392)
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