Maneuvering dentistry in COVID-19 era

Background: The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic has annulled the routine practice of dentistry and due to the uncertainty of this unique situation, there is a need for procedural restructuring as well as effective reduction of the aerosol-rich environment in which dentistry is practiced and taught until wide scale testing and vaccination is achieved. Aim: The aim of this article is to review additional measures which would help in reduction of spread of infectious viral pathogens in a dental setting and also to address the requirements for effectively continuing dental education during this period. Conclusion: The COVID-19 era presents a fluid state of affairs in which new information of the disease is daily updated but basic steps outlined in the article can help in reducing the cross-infections in a dental setting which will result in maintaining the trust and safety of the patients till we achieve mass scale vaccination or immunity. Clinical Significance: The article addresses additional measures apart from maintaining the universal precautions for infection control which need to be adhered to reduce the SARS-CoV-2 infection potential to the patients and dental health-care professionals