Impact of COVID 19 on periodontal therapy: An overview.
10 ISSN Print 0719 2460 ISSN Online 0719 2479. www.joralres.com/2020 On December 31, 2019, a cluster of cases of pneumonia was reported in Wuhan, China. Eventually, medical personnel attributed the cause to a virus not previously identified in humans. This virus is now known as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS CoV 2) This novel coronavirus belongs to a large family of viruses that can cause illnesses ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases. Symptoms of the novel coronavirus include fever, shortness of breath, cough and difficulty breathing. In more severe cases usually involving the elderly, immunocompromised or those with significant comorbidities, pneumonia, acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and death can occur. This sounds frightening; however, influenza viruses pose a far more serious threat to the health of staff and patients.1 Human coronaviruses can remain infectious on inanimate surfaces at room temperature for up to 9 days. At a temperature of 30degC or more the duration of persistence is shorter. Veterinary coronaviruses have been shown to persist even longer, for 28 days. Contamination of frequent touched surfaces in dental and oral healthcare settings are therefore a potential source of viral transmission.2 Periodontal diseases are biofilm mediated, chronic infectious diseases and are the most common cause of tooth loss in the modern world.3 Dental plaque is the main etiologic factor in the pathogenesis of periodontal diseases. Several other aspects including genetic, host and environmental factors modulate the course of periodontal infections Advances in research have also led to the development of equipment and modifications in treatment protocols. However, the basic approach to periodontal infections has always been and remains the removal of supra and subgingival bacterial deposits by scaling and root planning. Nonsurgical mechanical periodontal treatment is the cornerstone of periodontal therapy and the first recommended approach to the control of periodontal infections. Many clinical studies conducted in the past few decades have confirmed the effectiveness of the nonsurgical approach in periodontal infections.4 The fluids in the mouth are grossly contaminated with bacteria and viruses. Dental plaque, both supragingival and subgingival in the periodontal pocket, is a major source of these organisms. It should not, however, be overlooked that the mouth also is part of the oronasal pharynx. As part of this complex, the mouth harbors bacteria and viruses from the nose, Fouad H. AL Bayaty.1