MANAGEMENT OF TRAUMATIC INJURIES IN THE ORAL AND MAXILLOFACIAL REGION. CONSIDERATION DURING THE COVID PANDEMIC

Abstract

Coronaviruses are a diverse group of pathogens that cause diseases of the upper respiratory tract similar to the common cold. Recently the world has been hit by an outbreak of a strain(SARS-CoV-2)of the virus referred to as the novel coronavirus which has led to a global pandemic and has spread across 212 countriesin the world causing an international health emergency. The novel Coronavirus has a droplet spread and patients become symptomatic within 2 to 14 days after exposure to the pathogen. WHO advises maintenance of hand hygiene and social distancing to prevent the spread.Dental clinics and offices are at a great risk of spreading the infection as by generating aerosols from inside the oral cavity that not only pose a risk to the staff of the clinic but also to the patients. While all elective procedures are being deferred, maxillofacial traumatic injuries have to be dealt with on urgent basis because they lead to gross impairment of function and facial disfigurement, Therefore, protocols have been made for the treatment of emergent cases in these times of pandemic by which minimum exposure and spread can beensured. These protocols include proper use of personal protective equipment, triaging of patients and evaluating the need of urgency for their treatment. When treatment is absolutely necessary, the department should ensure that guidelines as mentioned are followed as to limit the chances of spread of infection pre, per and post operatively.