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Introduction: The dental profession
is a high-risk profession, considering the aspect of a possible 100%
infection from patients who are carriers of bacterial, viral and fungal
diseases during dental interventions.
Aim: To perform the analysis of all data that explain the
possibility of a SARS-CoV-2 virus infection in dental practice.
Material and Methods: The literature data on the presence of
SARS-CoV-2 virus, and its characteristics and behavior in the external
environment and in living tissues was analyzed. Databases from the
Medline, Cochrane Library, Science-Direct, EMBASE, and Google scholar
libraries were used, as well as other sources of literature information
about this virus.
Results: SARS-CoV-2 is an RNA virus, which has a submicron size and
the ability to survive in various environments. The retention of
SARS-CoV-2 virus in air / aerosol lasts an average of 3 hours, while the
half-life of this virus is 5 to 6 hours on stainless steel and 6 to 8
hours on plastic. Infected patients with SARS-CoV-2 virus develop
COVID-19 disease, which manifests itself through presymptomatic,
symptomatic and post-symptomatic periods of the disease.
Conclusion: The SARS-CoV-2 virus can be found in aerosols
generated by dental equipment, which uses compressed air for its work.
Protection of dentists and staff from infection with the virus is
possible by wearing an N95 respiratory mask with protection levels 2 and
3, which has a filtration efficiency, i.e. retention of submicron
particles with an efficiency of ≥ 98%. Waterproof goggles with a
protective visor or a special industrially designed facial visor in the
form of a full face mask, which has its own motor for the supply of
filtered air to the mask, and which prevents the contamination of the
mucous membranes of the eyes, nose and mouth from liquid or solid
aerosol in the air, need to be used. Other disposable protective
equipment also must be waterproof.
Key words:
Dental stuff, SARS-CoV-2, risk
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