How to deal and learn from the threat of COVID-19 in paediatric dentistry

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ABSTRACT

Methods

COVID-19, acronym of coronavirus disease 2019, is a viral infectious disease which rapidly developed as a pandemic. The aetiologic agent of COVID-19 is SARS-CoV-2, or severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. The 2019 coronavirus is different from SARS-CoV, but it has the same host receptor: human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). SARS-CoV-2 was first discovered in 2019 in Wuhan, China, unfortunately spreading globally, resulting in the 2019-2020 pandemic, as declared by the World Health Organization (WHO). This disease started in Asia and has spread worldwide with 1,330,240 cases and 73,868 deaths at the time of writing (6th April, 2020) and many more if this disease is not contained fast. The only effective prevention methods, until a vaccine for this disease will be produced, is active testing and containment measures. This is how China, South Korea and to some extent India have been able to reduce new cases and mortality. The health care workers, especially dentists are the most vulnerable groups of people when facing this virus.

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