Covid 19: A paradigm shift in periodontal practice

ABSTRACT

COVID-19, an epidemic viral disease which originated in Wuhan, China, has caused a major halt in the normal routine of people worldwide. It was declared as a public health emergency of international concern by the World Health Organisation. The novel corona virus has caused major challenges to the health professionals owing to its different speed of reaction and types of response around the world. Due to the characteristics of dental setting and treatment modalities, the dental professionals and the patients are at major risk of cross infection. Periodontists can be at high risk while performing aerosol generating procedures to asymptomatic patients, as saliva has been identified in saliva of infected patients. This review article aims to discuss the effect of COVID-19 on periodontal practise and future changes to be done in the COVID-19 era.