The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) outbreak in Wuhan, China, was first reported on December 31st, 2019. These initial coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases caused by SARS-CoV-2 were linked to an animal wet market.
Similarities between SARS-CoV-2 and other coronaviruses suggest that bats may be natural hosts and potential reservoirs for this virus, which were transmitted to humans. New research, published in the journal Biomedicines, discusses SARS-CoV-2 and its impact on oral health.
SARS-CoV-2 spreads through droplet transmission; airborne transmissions through aerosols have also been documented. This infection is highly contagious and can also be transmitted via the oral-fecal route or through contacting infected surfaces or oral fluids. Therefore, dentists and other healthcare professionals are at high risk for COVID-19 infections.
View more COVID-19 news as it pertains to the dental profession.
