ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Several pharmacotherapeutic methods have been used for the treatment of COVID-19 with varying degrees of success. No definitive treatment or vaccine has been officially approved to-date. This review aimed to highlight COVID-19 pharmacotherapeutic agents that are relevant to dental practice in terms of their clinical indications in COVID-19 and dental practice, as well as their adverse effects as they impact the dental patient. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Systematic search was performed using the following keywords combinations: Pharmacotherapy AND COVID-19 OR Pharmacotherapy AND SARS-CoV-2 OR Treatment AND COVID-19. Studies were categorized according to the type of pharmacotherapy used. Pharmacotherapeutic agents were extracted and only those relevant to dental practice were included for review. RESULTS: For analysis, a total of 79 clinical trials research articles were included that included COVID-19 pharmacotherapeutic agents relevant to dental practice. Those were analgesics (paracetamol; non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents); antibiotics (azithromycin, doxycycline, metronidazole); antivirals (penciclovir); and immunomodulatory agents (hydroxychloroquine, corticosteroids). While some COVID-19 drugs are less relevant to dental practice, as antivirals and hydroxychloroquine, their association with long-term adverse effects requires adequate knowledge among dental practitioners. CONCLUSION: Many of COVID-19 pharmacotherapeutic agents are used to treat oral diseases particularly orofacial pain and inflammatory conditions. Furthermore, some of these drugs may induce adverse effects that complicate dental treatment. Thorough knowledge of COVID-19 therapy and its dental implications is essential for dental practitioners, and is expected to contribute to a better understanding and effective utilization of these therapeutic agents.
ABSTRACT
Abstract In November 2002, a virus known as SARS-CoV was identified in Guangdong, China, and it was implicated as the etiology of severe acute respiratory syndrome. Seventeen years later, in the same month of November, a similar disease with more dramatic outcomes was identified in neighboring Wuhan. It has been six months since the identification of first cases of COVID-19 pandemic; however, unveiling clinical characteristics and modes of transmission of the disease are taking longer than expected. This overview aims to highlight some important points regarding the mode of transmission for which continuously surprising facts are being revealed every day. We also raise some vital questions to alert the scientific community to find the right answers and minimize the drastic fatal outcomes of this disease. It can be stated that SARS-CoV-2 could be transmitted as aerosol infection as well as through contacting infected surfaces. The possible role of abdominal gases as a route of spread of the virus should be considered and a fecal sample might be a useful diagnostic tool. Moreover, medical face masks are not protective from virus transmission during treating COVID-19 patients in settings where aerosol-generating procedures are performed. Doffing of PPE for healthcare workers needs more attention as this might be a source of infection unless additional measures of PPE disinfection are employed before doffing.
