Monkeypox: what do dental professionals need to know?

Area of Science:

• Infectious Diseases
• Public Health
• Dental Medicine

Background:

• Infection control in dentistry is vital, especially with emerging diseases like COVID-19.
• The global monkeypox outbreak (since May 2022) poses new challenges for dental settings.
• Monkeypox transmits through close contact, contaminated surfaces, and potentially aerosols.

Purpose of the Study:

• To discuss the relevance of monkeypox to dental professionals.
• To outline the disease's presentation and impact on dental infection control.
• To emphasize the need for research to support future pandemic preparedness in dentistry.

Main Methods:

• Literature review on monkeypox transmission and clinical presentation.
• Analysis of potential risks in dental settings.
• Discussion of implications for infection prevention and control (IPC) practices.

Main Results:

• Monkeypox, characterized by a rash including oral lesions, is now globally transmitted human-to-human.
• Dental professionals face risks due to potential transmission routes relevant to dental procedures.
• Current IPC strategies may require updates to address monkeypox effectively.

Conclusions:

• The monkeypox outbreak underscores the critical need for robust research in dental infection control.
• Evidence-based practices are essential for dental preparedness against emerging infectious threats.
• Sustained research programs will strengthen planning for future outbreaks and pandemics in dentistry.