COVID-19 Impacts on Dental Practice and Infection Control

The COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly transformed dental practice worldwide by necessitating stringent infection control measures, reshaping clinical workflows and accelerating the adoption of new technologies. Dental teams have faced heightened occupational risk due to close patient contact, routine generation of aerosols and exposure to saliva and blood. Practices adopted layered barriers including enhanced personal protective equipment, high-volume evacuation and preprocedural mouth rinses to mitigate viral transmission. Many clinics restructured appointment systems, triaging patients by urgency, conducting remote consultations via tele-dentistry and integrating vaccination policies for staff and patients. These adaptations have driven improvements in cross-infection prevention, fostered resilience in service delivery and highlighted gaps in preparedness, training and supply chains. As the pandemic evolves, research continues to refine protocols, balance safety with access to care and support the mental well-being of dental professionals under sustained pressure.

Research from Nature Portfolio

Recent studies have assessed infection rates and vaccine impacts among dental professionals compared with the general population. One large survey of European practitioners demonstrated that high uptake of full vaccination and booster doses among dentists led to lower infection and reinfection rates relative to the community. Booster recipients experienced shorter illness duration, milder complications and more rapid return to clinical duties, underscoring the protective value of timely immunisation. Willingness to accept further vaccination remained strong, suggesting durable support for occupational immunisation policies. These findings affirm that vaccination, when combined with established infection control practices, effectively reduces COVID-19 burden in dental settings and promotes continuity of essential oral healthcare.

COVID-19 Impacts on Dental Practice and Infection Control publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in covid-19 impacts on dental practice and infection control across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Aerosol-generating procedures: Clinical actions, such as ultrasonic scaling or high-speed drilling, that produce fine droplets or particles capable of remaining airborne and potentially transmitting pathogens.

Personal protective equipment (PPE): Barrier items—including masks, respirators, gowns, gloves and eye protection—designed to shield healthcare workers from exposure to infectious agents.

Tele-dentistry: Use of digital communication tools to conduct remote consultations, triage patients and deliver oral health advice without in-person contact.

Cross-infection: Transfer of infectious organisms between patients and healthcare personnel within the clinical environment, often via contaminated instruments, surfaces or hands.

References

1. Transmission routes of 2019-nCoV and controls in dental practice. International Journal of Oral Science (2020).
2. COVID-19 transmission risk and protective protocols in dentistry: a systematic review. BMC Oral Health (2020).
3. An Outlook on Dental Practices to Avoid the Oral Transmission of COVID-19. Microorganisms (2023).
4. Comparison of COVID-19 epidemic among Czech dentists and the Czech general population. Scientific Reports (2023).
5. The Response of the Indonesian Dental Community to the COVID-19 Pandemic. International Dental Journal (2024).