Main recommendations for the care of dental emergencies according to the risk of infection by COVID-19

Abstract

SARS-CoV-2 is the seventh betacoronavirus that infects the human species. It is characterized by high transmissibility and relatively low lethality. The disease occurs in mild form in the majority of the population and increases the probability of severity and fatality in adults over 65 years old, with previous Non-Communicable Chronic Diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, respiratory diseases and obesity. This revision article presents parameters based on scientific evidence, to guide the decision making for dentists when providing dental care and to limit the cross-infection risk in the context of the current state of the COVID-19 pandemic. Prior to an appointment, the call or video call is the first choice to define the triage, since it allows classifying the risk of COVID-19 infection of a patient and establishing the level of priority of treatment. The algorithm for decision-making in dental care clinics during the emergency period due to COVID-19 should constitute a recommendation to be practiced by the dentist who treats emergencies in patients, given that it allows the classification of infection risks and lethality defining the treatments as elective, urgent or emergency.