In a report by the US Bureau of Labour Statistics, it is mentioned that dentistry presents the greatest risk of exposure to medical practitioners, as they are brought in much closer contact with patients and patients’ saliva due to the contaminated aerosol that some dental procedures generate.
Direct contact with respiratory aerosols or droplets from infected individuals when sneezing, coughing, or talking are the main route of transmission for SARS-CoV-2. Therefore, high volumes of the virus in the oral cavity offer a strong source of potential infection for dentist.
Many recommendations and behavioural guidelines have been published by professional dental chambers and dental associations stating that over the counter mouthwashes may inactivate SARS-CoV-2. Potentially cutting the risk of transmission, according to a study published in the Journal of Infectious Diseases.
One recommendation in particular would appear to be of significant interest to the dental practitioner - the use of a mouth rinse as a possible safeguard to prevent cross infections, reduce aerosol contamination and deactivate the virus in the oral cavity.
Mouthwashes that contain the active ingredients of either dequalinium chloride, benzalkonium chloride, poluvidone-iodine, or ethanol significantly reduced the viral infectivity of SARS-CoV-2.
The high risk of transmission of the virus and the exponential increase in positive cases, in addition to the known possibility of being an asymptomatic or paucisymptomatic carrier (few symptoms are so mild they never suspect an infection), obliges dental practice staff to consider all patients as potentially infected.
Chlorhexidine has a well-documented effect against viruses in general and specifically against enveloped viruses such as HIV18. Moreover, because Chlorhexidine has excellent virucidal action itcan prevent COVID-19 even at lower concentrations.
Considering the available data, all the antiseptics proposed have an antiviral effect and it is therefore impossible to say that any one of them is not active against viruses. In the specific case of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, there is no definite evidence.
The only deductions made must be based on the action mechanism, on the data relating to similar viruses in the past, on results obtained in other non-dental fields, and on the products’ disinfection action on inanimate surfaces.
There is no definite proof that hydrogen peroxide 1% and povidone-iodine 1% are effective when used as mouth rinses against the SARS-CoV-2 virus, but their
underlyingoxidation mechanism can eradicate numerous viruses from contaminated surfaces and areas.
Chlorhexidine has been proven effective against microorganisms in the aerosol produced by dental procedures – and has the highest efficacy as a chemical plaque control agent.
Find products like chlorhexidine gluconate oral rinse at Noble Dental Supplies. Browse through a wide variety of merchandise or call at 1-866-333-6825 for assistance on your order.
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