key: cord-0832586-o0e15rlw
authors: Rathore, Kanupriya
title: What Pediatric Dentists Need to Know about Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19)
date: 2020-12-03
journal: J Dent (Shiraz)
DOI: 10.30476/dentjods.2020.87278.1249
sha: 0499df0c1aa6e7de64ce0ae47da49dc3de12dd61
doc_id: 832586
cord_uid: o0e15rlw

COVID-19, a viral disease fatal yet preventable is caused by a newly identified β-corona virus. The people most vulnerable to this infection are the ones with a prior history of diseases, low immunity, or either too old or too young (particularly children and infants). In the context of the virus’s impact on the pediatric age groups, this article highlights some of the challenges and guidelines on managing it. Pediatric groups, like everyone else, are highly vulnerable to the infection by COVID-19. The lower number of pediatric patients involved at the beginning of a pandemic does not necessarily mean that children are less vulnerable to the infection. However, the good news is that the disease usually has a mild course and appropriate prevention and oral health management in children can help to keep it at bay. Adherence to simple compliance and safety protocols can go a long way. For instance, in the course of some of the procedures performed by a pediatric dentist, there may be a risk of aerosols being generated, which in turn can lead to cross-infection making the patient vulnerable to contracting COVID-19. In such a situation, parents are advised to take good home-based care and take telemedicine consultation immediately. This article lays a concrete emphasis on reviewing the limited published literature that is specific to the pediatric population regarding epidemiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment modalities of COVID-19. It analyzes the potential risk from COVID-19 associated with pediatric dental treatment. In addition, it presents a series of considerations on potential oral prevention strategies on the management of urgent and non-urgent dental procedures in a context of disease transference control. This literature review also gives an insight for the private practitioner to have healthier management in the pediatric fraternity during this highly contagious COVID-19 pandemic

WHO defines a pandemic as the worldwide spread of a new disease [4] . Recent WHO data indicates that there are approximately 15.8 million confirmed cases of COVID-19, including 0.6 million deaths worldwide [5] . In India alone, there have been an estimated 1.4 million cases until date [5] . Although the incidence is increasing every day, compared to adults, there have been a significantly smaller number of reported cases of COVID-19 in the pediatric population. Among the total number of positive cases, in China, only about 2.4% occurred in those under 19 years of age [6] . The first pediatric case was reported on January 20, 2020, in a 10-year-old boy from Shenzhen, China, whose family had visited Wuhan City [7] . Limited data are available on the prevalence of COVID-19 in pediatric populations because children were rarely tested for the virus in the earlier phase of the outbreak, especially in Hubei Province in China, where the most cases were confirmed [8] . The youngest affected patient was a 36-hour-old newborn, who remains the youngest COVID-19 patient worldwide [9] .

Infection is acquired by either inhalation of droplets or touching surfaces contaminated and then touching the nose, mouth, and eyes. While data on the incubation period for COVID-19 in the pediatric population is limited, it is thought to extend to 14 days, similar to adult patients with COVID-19 [10] . In studies from China, the reported incubation period among pediatric patients ranged from 2 to 10 days [11] [12] . The first step in infection is virus binding to a host cell through its target receptor. Human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is a functional target receptor used by 2019-nCoV to invade cells, which may promote human-to-human transmission [13] . This process requires priming by cellular serine proteases (TMPRSS2), which allow spike protein cleavage, regulating the entire mechanism [14] .

The organs with high ACE2-expressing cells should be considered a potential high risk for 2019-nCoV infection [15] . ACE2 cells are abundantly present in type II alveolar cells (AT2) of lung [15] , esophagus upper and stratified epithelial cells, absorptive enterocytes from the ileum, and colon [16] , cholangiocytes [17] , myocardial cells, kidney proximal tubule cells, and bladder urothelial ells [15] . Although COVID-19 infec-tion hardly presented oral symptoms, the ACE2 expression in the oral cavity indicated that the oral infection route of SARS-CoV-2 could not be excluded. The presence of the ACE2 receptor of COVID-19 on the epithelial cells of the oral mucosa, especially in epithelial cells of the tongue, might provide possible routes of entry for the SARS-CoV-2, which indicates oral cavity might be a potential risk route of SARS-CoV-2 infection [18] . The results of a study conducted in 2020 by Xu et al. [19] revealed a huge expression of the ACE2 receptor of COVID-19 on the epithelial cells of the oral mucosa, especially in epithelial cells of the tongue. ACE2 epithelial cells of salivary gland ducts were demonstrated to be early targets of SARS-CoV-2 infection [19] .

The common transmission routes of novel coronavirus include direct transmission (cough, sneeze, and droplet inhalation transmission), contact transmission (contact with oral, nasal, and eye mucous membranes), and airborne spread (droplet and aerosol transmission) [20] .

Dental care settings invariably carry the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection due to the specificity of its procedures, which involves face-to-face communication with patients. The infection can be transmitted in dental settings through inhalation of airborne microorganisms that remain suspended in the air for long periods. A dental professional's frequent exposure to blood, oral fluids, or other patient materials [21] , makes a possible route for the spread of viruses. In addition, dental professionals are at a risk of being exposed to conjunctival, nasal, oral mucosa through droplets and aerosols from an infected individual [22] .

Human corona viruses can remain infectious on inanimate surfaces like metal, glass, or plastic at room temperature for up to 9 days [23] . Frequent contact with these inert surfaces in healthcare settings is therefore a potential source of viral transmission [23] .

Dental procedures inadvertently generate aerosols. Dental procedures that use low-or high-speed handpieces, lasers, electrosurgery units, ultrasonic scalers, air polishers, prophy angles, hand instruments, or air/water syringes can create bioaerosols and spatter. Ultrasonic scalers and high-speed handpieces produce more air bo-rne contamination comparatively [24] .

The diagnostics can play a pivotal in restraining and spread of COVID-19 [25] . A proper contact history, systemic symptoms, and radiographic changes of pneumonia can help in establishing the provisional diagnosis but for the final diagnosis laboratory investigations are more reliable [26] . For evaluating or diagnosis of early infection, the WHO suggests the rapid collection and nucleic acid amplification testing (NAAT) of respiratory samples including nasopharyngeal swabs and oropharyngeal swabs as well as sputum specimen and/or endotracheal aspirate or bronchoalveolar lavage [27] . Laboratory tests, chest X-ray scan, chest computed tomography, lung ultrasound findings are rather essential in early screening of suspected cases and diagnosis of COVID-19 [28] .

According to the WHO, the immediate priority for COVID-19 diagnostics research is the development of nucleic acid and protein tests and use of point-of-care immunodiagnostic tests [6] . These simple test kits are based on either detection of proteins from the COVID-19 virus in respiratory samples (e.g. sputum, throat swab) or detection, in blood or serum, of human antibodies generated in response to infection. Based on current evidence, WHO recommends the use of these new point-of-care immunodiagnostic tests only in research settings [29] . Point-of-care tests are cost-effective, hand-held devices used to diagnose patients without sending samples to centralized facilities. These can be feasible in community centers to reduce the burden on clinical laboratories [30] . Lateral flow antigen detection [31] and micro fluidics-based smart phone [32] are the tests under development for diagnosing COVID-19.

Other diagnostic technologies that have shown clinical feasibility are discussed in a review article by Udugama et al. [33] .

Development of therapeutics and vaccines is underway and currently there is no approved therapeutics or vaccines approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to prevent or manage COVID-19 infection [25] . Ongoing clinical management includes infection prevention and supportive care, including supplemental oxygen and mechanical ventilator support when indicated. The only FDA-recommended drug is "remdesivir".

Well-studied scientific tests are required to appraise the effectiveness and safety of other antiviral agents, chloroquine, and hydroxychloroquine, corticosteroids, convalescent plasma therapy, and vaccines in patients with COVID-19 infection [26] . There are over 100 projects trusted sources around the world centered on the development of a COVID-19 vaccine [34] Vaccine development is a long process, and currently no COVID-19 vaccine has been successfully developed. Trivedi et al. [35] in their review article, have summarized the medicines currently being investigated in clinical trials for the potential treatment of COVID-19 and has highlighted the potential benefits and issues of their use in clinical practice. Although the eventual results of these studies will take a long time to accomplish, the provisional research data may provide some help for the present urgent demand for therapy [28] .

The electronic search was undertaken by searching the PubMed and Advanced Search (Basic Search) catalog to search evidence-based clinical practice guidelines.

The databases have been searched from January 1 up to July 27 2020 using the following search terms: "COVID" and "children", "COVID" and "Dentistry", "COVID" and "Pediatric dentist", "COVID" and "dental infection control", "COVID" AND "dental guidelines", "COVID" and "recommendation for a dentist", "COVID" and "children" and "Dentistry". A Google search has also been carried out to identify any recommendations for dental practice and dental guidelines.

We included all studies that have reported the recom- The face of epidemics and pandemics has changed over the years. Humankind has overcome these pandemics in the past and the evolving immune system has helped them survive. Since SARS-CoV-2 is a new zoonotic pathogen, there is no pre-existing immunity and the whole of humanity is susceptible to infection and developing COVID-19 disease [36] .

Children can also be infected by SARS-CoV-2, but most pediatric cases with laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection are mild; severe COVID-19 disease in children is rare [36] . The immune preparedness of children to any novel pathogens, including, SARS-CoV-2 might be based on several factors, as described below:  Children have a more active innate immune response.

 The exposure to cigarette smoke and air pollution is less in children as compared to adults. Thus, they have healthier respiratory tracts and fewer underlying disorders [37] .  Another suggested explanation is that viral interference in the respiratory tract of young children leads to a lower viral load in children.  The ACE2 receptor for the SARS-CoV-2 virus may be expressed differently in the fetal lung compared to adult lung tissue [38] . ACE2 expression in rat lung has been found to decrease with age dramatically [39] . As reported by Hoffmann et al., fetal lung AC-E2 receptors have different characteristics than mature lung tissue (e.g., lower binding capacity) [14] .  The children are exposed to other respiratory viruses such as respiratory syncytial virus, influenza A and influenza B viruses, which enhance their serum antibody levels and could, provide cross-protection [38] .  Children have fewer outdoor activities and undertake less international travel, making them less likely to contract the virus [40] .

Several precautionary steps should be taken by the dental healthcare professionals to be able to function in the "new normal" environment. While the previous trans-mission pathways are common to the treatment of any dental patient, pediatric patients present additional risks of transmission. The use of removable orthodontic appliances or auxiliary elements in fixed orthodontic therapies, such as the use of intermaxillary elastic bands, entails risks of contamination if handling is not carried out with due precautions. Another problem is related to the difficulty for the child to don personal protective equipment (PPE) during medical visits. Finally, the very presence of caregivers, with whom the pediatric dentist must unavoidably interface, will increase the risk of infection [41] .

According to a study [42] conducted by Huaqiu Guo et al., the proportion of dental and oral infections increased from 51.0% before the COVID-19 outbreak to 71.9% during COVID-19. Thus, there is evidence to believe that in the post-COVID-19 era, people's demands for dental services may extremely rise. Hence, as frontline health care professional, dentists have to be more careful and the dental operatories should gear themselves for readiness [42] .

Evolution has endowed a survival advantage to children to combat known and unknown pathogens; children can be asymptomatic or present with mild, nonspecific symptoms. Because of the long incubation period, ranging from 2-14 days (mean 6 days), all child patients, and parents should be considered potential carriers of COVID-19 unless proved otherwise [43] . Taking into account findings of previous literature [44] [45] [46]  There should be a dedicated area for donning and doffing of PPE.  Implement four-handed dentistry techniques  Prioritize the use of hand instrumentation, to reduce aerosol production as much as possible  Use a high volume aspirator to minimize aerosol generation.  Isolate the operating field with the rubber dam to min-imize the production of aerosols contaminated with blood and saliva, especially during the treatment of the pulpits.  Use high-speed turbines with an anti-retraction valve to reduce the return flow of oral bacteria.  Minimize the use of a 3-in-1 syringe as this may create droplets due to forcible ejection of water/air.  Use of extraoral dental radiographs during the COVID-19 should be encouraged in order to enhance patient experience, as intraoral dental radiographs can stimulate aerosol generation from saliva secretion, gagging, coughing, or vomiting especially in children [47] . 

Primary telephone screening to recognize suspected patients or probable COVID-19 infection can be done before scheduling appointments. Questions related to any travel history to COVID-19 infected regions, the existence of febrile respiratory illness (FRI) symptoms such as cough and fever, or presence of other concomitant diseases should be asked during telephone screening. A positive answer to any of these two questions would increase the initial concern and postpone the elective dental care for at least two weeks [48] .

Dental clinics should establish a pre-check triage to make a recording of the temperature of both the child and their caregivers. When the patient visits the clinic, a retrospective evaluation should be carried out to investigate not only trips to geographic areas affected by the pandemic of COVID-19 made in the 14 days but also if there is a history of contact with COVID-19 confirmed or suspected patients. The child should be accompanied by a minimum number of people. In addition to measuring the temperature, medical protective masks should be provided to patients and their caregivers before entering the operatory [49] .

 Avoid wearing a wristwatch, hand, body jewelry, and carrying of additional accessories bags and so on.  Use their washrooms at home to avoid the need of using toilets at the dental facility.  Pre-procedural use of mouthwash should be advocated. Oxidative agents containing mouth rinses with 1% hydrogen peroxide or 0.2% povidoneiodine are recommended [52] .  Wear a facemask during transport and before entering the premises.  Have the body temperature checked and use a sanitizer on the entrance.  Patients consent and declaration to be obtained in a physical print out or electronic system.  If the waiting room does not allow for appropriate "social distancing" (situated at least 6 feet or 2 meters apart), patient may wait in their vehicle or outside the facility where they can be contacted by a mobile phone when it is their turn to be seen [49] .  Respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette should be practiced [51] .

The patient should be followed up after the dental treatment. Patients should be contacted by telephone 24 hrs and in a week to find out if they have developed any symptoms that should warn the dental staff to undertake appropriate actions. Patients should be advised to inform back to the dental clinic if they develop any adverse symptoms [50] .

Pediatric dental practice challenges us to prepare for situations that may not occur for general dental practices or other specialties. For the management of different pediatric patient groups refer to the practice checklist by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry [46] .

No routine dentistry should be provided for children during this pandemic. In agreement with the previous literature [41] , ADA suggested in its Interim Guidance

[45], to delay the treatment of non-urgent dental procedures that do not require emergency treatment indefinitely during the COVID-19 acute phase; following procedures are enumerated below (Table 1 and Table 2 ).

Programme guidelines [53] for "Emergency Dental Care and Management of Acute Dental Problems" management can be provided in three ways:  Advice and self-help: mild and moderate symptoms managed remotely by general dental practices providing advice and self-help, which might involve analgesics and antimicrobials  Urgent care: severe or uncontrolled symptoms that cannot be managed by the patient and require the patient to see a dentist in a designated urgent dental care center  Emergency care: emergency conditions that require immediate medical attention Based on the guidelines highlighted in the literature [53] [54] [55] [56] [57] , the following key points are tabulated below (Table 1 and Table 2 ).

Traumatic pathology has a prevalence that varies between 6.1% and 62.1% in individuals of preschool age [58] and between 5.3% and 21% of school-age [59] . It is therefore likely that it can present itself as an emergency to be managed during the COVID-19 pandemic. In general, the planning of the treatment of dental fractures, dislocation, or dental avulsion depends on the age, the traumatic severity of the dental tissue, the development of the apex, and the duration of the dental avulsion [60] . The management protocols for orofacial trauma have been tabulated below (Table 3 ) [53] .

 Dental treatment of COVID-19 suspected or con- Table 3 .  In case of severe dental emergencies, for uncooperative children, dental treatment should be performed in public hospitals under sedation and/or general anesthesia to provide a safe and effective dental treatment [62] .

Dentists who treat children amidst the coronavirus pandemic should assume that every person is potentially infected and they should indisputably follow universal infection control procedures. It is essential that in the present scenario, priority be given to dental procedures labeled as emergencies by the WHO. This would be an appropriate step in attempt to curtail the further spread of COVID-19. This is also a huge opportunity to motivate children to maintain good oral health and promote preventive dental behaviors in them. Parents should be educated regarding the home management of milder oral pathologies for which direct intervention of the specialist is not necessary or can be deferred until a time when the outbreak goes into recession. The specialists in pediatric dentistry should promote the use of tele-consultation and conte-mporary minimally invasive procedures that minimize or eliminate aerosol generation during this pandemic. 

• Children with underlying medical conditions, which place them at greater risk of complications arising from any subsequent infection if the tooth is not treated require emergency treatment • Children and young people with additional needs such as those with learning disabilities or autism, where dental pain is resulting in self-harm or other disruptive or detrimental behaviors. • Increased risk of infection (e.g., any immunocompromised state, transplant patient, diabetic, and child on immunosuppressant /steroids/chemotherapy). • Children whose poor dental health is impacting on, or is highly likely to impact on, their medical health • Increased risk of bleeding from medications or conditions.

• Presence of a swelling likely to or compromising swallowing and/or breathing, causing trismus or extending to the eye or a significant oral/facial swelling with associated pyrexia. • Traumatic dental injuries resulting in a complex injury to the permanent dentition: avulsion of a permanent tooth; severe luxation, crown root fracture, complicated crown fracture. Traumatic dental injuries to the primary dentition resulting in: pulp exposure or severe luxation such that tooth mobility constitutes a potential airway risk and/or is severely interfering with occlusion/function. 

No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported. If ulceration has been present for 3 weeks or more, refer the patient to designated urgent dental care centre.

If a patient with oral ulceration is severely dehydrated, refer for emergency medical care. Avulsed, displaced or fractured teeth

• If a permanent tooth fracture involves only enamel and dentine, advise the patient to apply desensitizing toothpaste on the exposed dentine and to use an emergency temporary repair kit, which can be purchased online or at a pharmacy. • If a primary tooth (or teeth) has been knocked out or displaced without affecting the bite, advice the parent/caregiver to alter the child's diet to include soft food and appropriate analgesia if required. • Note. Primary teeth should not be re-implanted.

• If a permanent tooth has been knocked out, advise the patient to • Handle the tooth by its crown and avoid touching the root; • If the tooth is dirty, wash it briefly (10 seconds) under cold running water • Try to re-implant the tooth in its socket and then bite gently on a handkerchief to hold it in position; • If this is not feasible, store the tooth for transportation in milk (not water). Alternatively transport the tooth in the mouth, keeping it between molars and inside of the cheek. • Urgent management is required if a permanent or primary tooth is out of occlusion and is affecting the bite, • If a tooth fractures involving the pulp • If bleeding is severe and will not stop within 15-30 minutes • There has been significant facial trauma • Patient has had a head injury or loss of consciousness • Patient has inhaled a tooth or tooth fragment.

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