Coronavirus is a new strain that causes illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases. It spreads via droplets from coughing/sneezing and touching infected surfaces. Symptoms include fever, cough and shortness of breath. Dentists have been advised to stop elective procedures and only treat emergencies to avoid spreading the virus via aerosols from dental equipment or splatter from saliva/blood. Dental emergencies include severe toothache, swelling that impacts breathing, knocked out teeth or dentofacial trauma.

1. CORONAVIRUS AND DENTISTRY
WHAT IS CORONAVIRUS?
Coronaviruses (CoV) are a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common
cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) and
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV).
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is a new strain that was discovered in 2019 and has not been
previously identified in humans. The new virus is dangerous - so far, around 20 per cent of
confirmed cases have been classed as severe or critical. So far, around 15 to 20 per cent of
hospital cases have been classed as "severe" and the current death rate varies between 0.7 per
cent and 3.4 per cent depending on the location and, crucially, access to good hospital care.
This is much lower than fatality rates for Mers (30 per cent) and Sars (10 per cent), but still a
significant threat.
HOW DOES IT SPREAD?
Like cold and flu bugs, the virus is spread via droplets when a person coughs or sneezes. The
droplets land on surfaces and are picked up on the hands of others and spread further. People
catch the virus when they touch their infected hands to their mouth, nose or eyes.

2. WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?
COVID-19 symptoms range from mild to severe. It takes 2-14 days after exposure for symptoms
to develop. Symptoms may include:
 Fever (The Centers for Disease Control considers a person to have a fever when he or she has
a measured temperature of at least 100.4 °F [38 °C])
 Cough
 Shortness of breath

3. Those with weakened immune systems may develop more serious symptoms, like pneumonia or
bronchitis. You may never develop symptoms after being exposed to COVID-19.
WHO declared COVID-19 a pandemic on March 11, pointing to "alarming levels" of spread,
severity and inaction
WHAT PRECAUTIONS SHOULD YOU TAKE?.
WHO and CDC recommend following these precautions for avoiding COVID-19:
 Avoid large events and mass gatherings.
 Avoid close contact (about 6 feet) with anyone who is sick or has symptoms.
 Keep distance between yourself and others if COVID-19 is spreading in your community,
especially if you have a higher risk of serious illness.
 Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or use an alcohol-based
hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
 Cover your mouth and nose with your elbow or a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw
away the used tissue.
 Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth if your hands aren't clean.
 Clean and disinfect surfaces you often touch on a daily basis.

4. 
WHO also recommends these steps:
 Avoid eating raw or undercooked meat or animal organs.
 If you're visiting live markets in areas that have recently had new coronavirus cases, avoid
contact with live animals and surfaces they may have touched.
HOW DOES THE CORONAVIRUS AFFECT YOUR DENTAL VISIT?
Dentists around the world have been advised to stop all elective procedures by regulatory bodies.
Only emergency dental procedures will be provided.
This is being done to safeguard the dentist, the dental staff and most importantly the patient
Avoid visiting a dentist till it is absolutely necessary such that there is no crowding in such
places and social distancing should be maintained.

5. The dental drill when used causes the production of aerosols. The virus may thus remain
suspended in air. Also the saliva or blood may splatter and land on surfaces where it may survive
and cause the infection if anyone accidently comes in contact with this splatter.
WHAT CONSTITUES A DENTAL EMERGENCY?
Severe toothache
Swelling or infection that may cause breathing difficulties
A tooth that has been knocked out
Any dentofacial trauma
ITS Dental College, Greater Noida, urges you to be safe during this time of pandemic and
requests you to stay calm, not panic and follow advisories.