Coronavirus outbreaks and infection prevention in dentistry: a narrative review

OBJECTIVE

This narrative review aims to compile and analyse infection prevention and control (IPAC) practices followed by dental clinics during 3 coronavirus outbreaks: SARS (2002-2004), MERS (2012-2014), and COVID-19 (2019-); and to draw parallels from them for future epidemics.

METHODS

Data were collected from 3 databases: Google Scholar, PubMed, and Embase using search terms "SARS," "MERS," "COVID-19," "infection control," "disinfection," and "sterilization".

RESULTS

Careful examination of 108 peer-reviewed articles on the 3 outbreaks revealed the following commonalities in the IPAC practices of dental clinics: use of sodium hypochlorite (surface disinfectant), ethanol and 1-propanol (hand hygiene), povidone-iodine (oral rinse), high-volume evacuation (HVE), rubber dam isolation, anti-retraction handpieces, and fogging.

DISCUSSION & CONCLUSION

Ethanol, 1-propanol, sodium hypochlorite, povidone-iodine, photocatalysis, and fogging have been shown to be effective against various coronaviruses. However, more studies are required to validate the effectiveness of anti-retraction handpieces, rubber dam isolation, HVE, and cold atmospheric plasma specifically in infection control of the current coronavirus strain, SARS-CoV-2.

Diode laser approach for excision of solitary mucocele

Oral mucoceles or mucoceles are communal minor salivary gland lesions, and they are clinically categorized by the presence of single or multiple, spherical-shaped fluctuant nodules which are asymptomatic and pain free. Application of diode laser for removal of mucosal lesions in the oral cavity is relatively new and viably better alternative to its precedent methods. The added advantage of using a laser includes lesser bleeding, improved or reduced healing time, and its affinity to melatonin that prevents further or recurrent pigmentation.