A Call for Action to Safely Deliver Oral Health Care during and Post COVID-19 Pandemic

Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2020 Sep 15;17(18):6704. doi: 10.3390/ijerph17186704.

Abstract

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) outbreak started just a couple of months ago and it grew rapidly causing several deaths and morbidities. The mechanism behind the transmission of the virus is still not completely understood despite a multitude of new specific manuscripts being published daily. This article highlights the oral cavity as a possible viral transmission route into the body via the Angiotensin converting enzyme 2 receptor. It also provides guidelines for routine protective measures in the dental office while delivering oral health care.

Keywords: angiotensin II; coronavirus; mouth; pandemics; professional practice; quarantine.

MeSH terms

  • Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2
  • Betacoronavirus
  • COVID-19
  • Coronavirus Infections / epidemiology*
  • Coronavirus Infections / prevention & control
  • Delivery of Health Care
  • Dental Care*
  • Humans
  • Mouth / virology*
  • Oral Health
  • Pandemics / prevention & control
  • Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A*
  • Pneumonia, Viral / epidemiology*
  • Pneumonia, Viral / prevention & control
  • Practice Guidelines as Topic
  • SARS-CoV-2

Substances

  • Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A
  • ACE2 protein, human
  • Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2