Owing to the incrimination of saliva and aerosols in the spread of SARS-CoV-2, elective dental treatments have been brought to a standstill in different parts of the world. Though a torrent of recommendations regarding methods to curtail the virus, including which PPE to deploy, aerosol reduction measures, surface disinfectants to be used and negative pressure rooms are being researched and advocated, there is a paucity of data or research on the material of instruments currently being used, viability of SARS-CoV-2 on the same, and any modifications if necessary or beneficial.

Stainless steel is the predominant material used in almost all dental armamentarium. However, a ground-breaking study discovered that stainless steel harboured SARS-CoV-2 for up to 3 days, while on copper (Cu) it remained viable only for 4 h [@b0005]. Hence, the use of Cu in the dental armamentarium might be a desideratum.

Cu has been found to have excellent antibacterial properties. The biocidal effects are not limited to bacteria and have in fact been found against various fungi and viruses. There is appreciable evidence of viricidal effects against HIV-1, poliovirus, influenza virus, and other enveloped or nonenveloped DNA or RNA viruses [@b0010]. Cu(I) and Cu(II) alone and in alloys have also been found to be effective against coronaviruses in general (SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, HuCoV-229E). Irreversible dispersal of surface strikes, degeneration of the viral envelope and viral RNA lead to irreversible transformation of the morphology, ultimate destruction of the viral genome and devitalisation of these enveloped viruses, even faster than other non-enveloped viruses [@b0015]. Owing to the release of Cu ions and in lieu of its broad-spectrum antimicrobial effect, Cu is often introduced into biomaterials including incorporation of copper nanocomposites in polymers utilized in medical equipments, textile fibers, latex and Cu bearing Titanium dental implants [@b0020].

Currently viricidal action of Cu against SARS-CoV-2 has been perceived and 96% inactivation of the virus within 2 h has been demonstrated by 360 labs' Cu 3D printed material, reiterated by Australian government [@b0025]. Hence, while masks, face shields and other medical devices are being 3D printed during the current pandemic, addition of Cu nanoparticles has been suggested for the same.

With the recent incorporation of copper alloy surfaces in healthcare settings, decrease in the microbial load and thereby subsequent nosocomial infections has been observed. Assimilation of the data, and no known biocidal action of stainless steel suggests copper utilisation via coatings, surface modification or impregnation should be considered for dental instruments to prevent spread of contagions. Percentage of Cu should be optimized so it may offer excellent antimicrobial properties while not affecting mechanical properties or biocompatibility. Thus, propounding coalescence of Cu in dental equipment to conspicuously decrease the risk of dental environmental contamination due to inappropriate handling and therefore transmission of infections, including but not limited to SARS-CoV-2 can be beneficial. This biocidal effect of Cu in dental instruments may be propitious, not just during this pandemic but thereafter also.

No grants received by any of the authors, no conflict of interest reported by any of the authors

Declaration of Competing Interest
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The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.
