Summary
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by Coronavirus 2 of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV-2). The majority of patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 have an asymptomatic or mild evolution. However, a part of those infected will present a deterioration in their health condition, developing severe acute pneumonia, which can lead to death. People linked to dental clinics are at risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection, since saliva is an important method of transmission of the virus. Due to its nature, dental care is performed at a short distance from the patient, with constant exposure to saliva, blood and other body fluids, and the use of sharp instruments is frequent. Consequently, the elements of personal protection are very important and the regulations of the health authority in the context of the current pandemic must be fully complied with, due to ethical and legalobligations. This narrative review reviews and discusses the regulation of the health authority that involves dental services in the context of COVID-19, how it will be applied in university clinics and how to complement the regulations with the available scientific evidence.
KEY WORDS: COVID-19, Dental care regulations, University clinics.
How to cite this article
FUENTES, R.; ZAROR, C. & HUANQUILEF, M. Legislation and norms related to dental care and the COVID-19. A perspectiv from university clinics. Int. J. Odontostomat., 14(4):481-488, 2020.
