COVID-19 and dentistry – safety issues regarding doctor and patient situation in time of vaccine availability

Since one of the main mode of the COVID-19 transmission is through close contact with the infected person (<1.5 m distance) and body fluids (saliva, blood, aerosol particles), the dentists have become one of the groups being at most risk of being infected. The aim of this article is to present, based on the research search (publications from the last year 2020 and from the beginning of the current year 2021), the general overview of the situation during the COVID-19 pandemic with regard to patients and dentist as well as supporting personal protection. Authors identified 7 questions related to this topic. They address among others such issues as identification of the COVID-19 patients coming to the dental practice; protection of both the dentist and the patient from infection and a need for guidelines on the scope of emergency dental services during the pandemic. Opinions on the subject, expressed by the experts in the field, including general guidelines were also taken into consideration. In general, based on the literature overview, the COVID-19 pandemic has completely transformed the healthcare system, including dentistry. The identification of the COVID-19 patients coming to the dental practice has become a necessity (including taking epidemiological survey, temperature measurement). Currently, since “the group zero” in significant part has completed the full vaccination process, the health personnel (including dentists) might feel safer. The efficacy of the vaccines is high and provides a certain sense of security.