COVID-19 pandemic in prosthodontic clinic: Protective methods and infection control (A scoping review)

Introduction: The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was the 2019 Coronavirus infectious disease (COVID-19) source, first appearing in Wuhan in December 2019. The epidemic emergency from China spreads quickly throughout the world due to the COVID-19 syndrome pathophysiological characteristics, the SARS-CoV-2 particular transmissibility, and the elevated globalization of our era. The virus's capacity to persist in aerosol or on fomites, external to living organisms, has been acknowledged. The newly discovered Coronavirus poses a significant risk of infection for prosthodontists through direct and indirect contact. Consequently, it is imperative to institute preventative actions. Objectives: This article aims to advice the dentists in mitigating the threat of COVID-19 transmission through prosthodontic clinical practice. Materials and Methods: Full-text screening of 37 included articles was conducted, following the perusal of titles and abstracts with the same level of agreement. The collected documents were screened utilizing a PRISMA Flow Diagram. Results: A comprehensive analysis of the most intriguing investigations was done, and points were provided to establish guidelines according to the present understanding. Conclusions: COVID-19 requires a balanced approach to patient care and the protection of dental professionals; to address this unprecedented situation, a risk-benefit ratio must be evaluated with strict adherence to disinfection protocols and guidelines.