Background: During the period of health emergency linked to the current COVID-19 pandemic, the paediatric dentists' management of oral health problems in children must have as primary objective the control of the spread of the disease according to specific protocols aimed at minimizing the risk of viral transmission.
Aim: This paper examines the possible clinical conditions that may require intervention by the paediatric dentist, distinguishing clinical situations that fall into the category of paediatric dental emergencies from conditions of oral pathologies that normally do not represent an emergency. The definition of rigorous and highly effective infection control protocols in the dental settings must therefore be complemented by the development and strengthening of remote communication techniques with the parents, who must be adequately educated on preventive and palliative measures for the management of their children's oral health, with the aim of postponing clinical attendance to when the circumstances become favourable.
Conclusions: The experience gained with these approaches and models of treatment, where remote interaction techniques play a central role, will hone the communication skills of the paediatric dentist and will retain its usefulness even at the end of the current emergency period.
Keywords: COVID-19 pandemic; oral health prevention; paediatric dentistry.
© 2020 BSPD, IAPD and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.