The dilemma of COVID-19 in dental practice concerning the roleof saliva in transmission: a brief review of current evidence

摘要

From December 12, 2019, a pandemic of acute respiratory syndrome, the novelhuman coronavirus disease (COVID-19), caused by a novel β-coronavirus (2019-nCoV) began to grow globally by person-to-person transmission. The productionof airborne material during aerosol generating dental procedures would exposedental team and patients to remarkable risk of transmission concerning the faceto-face communication and splattered saliva, blood, and other body fluids. Dentalprofessionals can be a substantial help in preventing the transmission of COVID-19.This study has reviewed relevant current evidences in literature that has addressedthe role of saliva and the threats that may be inherent in transmission of the diseaseduring dental procedures. The study also offers feasible proactive and preventivemeasures for dental practice during the outbreak to block possible person-topersonor indirect transmission in dental settings.