COVID-19 epidemic prevention and control strategy for dental facilities in Jiangsu Province

Abstract

: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by the novel coronavirus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). COVID-19, which in severe cases can lead to pneumonia, is mainly transmitted through respiratory tract droplets. Dental healthcare personnel are at high risk of the novel coronavirus infections due to the close contact with patients required during their work. Biological factors, physical factors, dust, and chemical agents all may cause potential occupational exposure to COVID-19 for oral medical staff. To reduce the risk of contracting and transmitting COVID-19 infection, prevention and control measures to effectively control the source of infection and cut off the transmission routes should be taken before, during, and after dental practice. Jiangsu Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention has formulated technical guidelines for the prevention and control of COVID-19 in dental facilities in Jiangsu based on local healthcare standard criteria. These guidelines are effective for the prevention and control of COVID-19. This article introduces the main occupational hazards of dental medical institutions and the detailed content of the guidelines, which is aiming to guild the dental medical institutions to standardize the prevention and control measures of the COVID-19 epidemic. With strong operability and practicality, these guidelines could also be used as a reference during epidemics of other infectious diseases.