COVID-19 and Dentistry: An Updated Overview of Dental Perspectives and a Recommended Protocol for Dental Care and Emergency Dental Treatment

AIM AND OBJECTIVEThis manuscript aims to provide an overview of the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic from dental perspectives, and presents standards and guidelines of dental care provision based on available research in this field as well as clinical experience and practice. BACKGROUNDThe current COVID-19 pandemic caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is spreading around the globe and interferes with the provision of dental care for many individuals from different communities and backgrounds. A search for the literature on PubMed, ISI Web of Science, Scopus, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library from March 1, 2020 to December 30, 2020 was conducted. Also, the bibliographies included in the indicated articles were used to identify further literature. Recommendations by health authorities in different countries were also consulted. RESULTSCOVID-19 is causing many fatalities and is disrupting people's daily life and the economy in many countries around the world. Due to the potential of cross-infection through dental treatments, especially dental aerosol generation procedures, the dental profession has been disrupted during this pandemic. Dental care provision has been ceased completely or partially (limited to emergency or urgent treatment) in most countries around the world. Until this pandemic is controlled by new suitable treatments and/or vaccination, there is an urgent need to adopt immediate guidelines and standards for the safe provision of dental care to meet patients' demands, especially for the dental aerosols. CONCLUSIONGuidelines and standards for dental treatment amidst the COVID-19 pandemic are required. This manuscript provides an overview of the COVID-19 pandemic from dental perspectives and presents standards and guidelines of dental care provision based on available research in this field as well as clinical experience and practice. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCEThis manuscript provides guidelines and standards for dental treatment and clinical management within dental settings amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, and resembles part of the quest to set the golden standards for dental care during the current circumstances. How to cite this article: AL-Omiri MK, Al-Shayyab MH, Al Nazeh AA, et al. COVID-19 and Dentistry: An Updated Overview of Dental Perspectives and a Recommended Protocol for Dental Care and Emergency Dental Treatment. J Contemp Dent Pract 2021;22(5):572-586.