Recommended Dental Infection Control Measures Following WHO’s Declaration of Monkeypox as a Public Health Emergency

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17159/

Keywords:

Mpox, Infection Control, Dental Settings, Oral  Manifestations, Transmission, Personal Protective  Equipment

Abstract

The resurgence of monkeypox, subsequent to its designation as a Public Health Emergency of International  Concern by the World Health Organization in 2022,  underscores the critical need for rigorous infection control  protocols within dental settings. Due to the inherent  nature of dental procedures, that involve working in close  proximity to patients and potential exposure to infectious 
bodily fluids, the dental profession faces significant  challenges in mitigating the transmission of mpox. This  update provides a comprehensive review of the virological  characteristics, transmission pathways, and clinical  presentation of mpox, with particular emphasis on its oral  manifestations and the implications for dental practitioners.  It delineates both standard and enhanced infection control  measures, including the application of personal protective  equipment, stringent hand hygiene practices, meticulous 
environmental disinfection, and the prudent management of  aerosol-generating procedures. Additionally, is addresses 
the importance of patient screening, isolation of suspected cases, and the education of both dental staff and patients regarding the transmission and prevention of mpox. The necessity for dental professionals to maintain vigilance, remain current with evolving guidelines, and implement comprehensive infection control strategies is emphasized,  highlighting the pivotal role of dental practices in the early detection and control of mpox transmission during the ongoing outbreak.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

1. World Health Organization. Monkeypox [Internet]. WHO. World Health Organization; 2023. Available from: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/monkeypox

2. Hasan S, Saeed S. Monkeypox Disease: An Emerging Public Health Concern in the Shadow of COVID-19 Pandemic: An Update. Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease. 2022 Oct 3;7(10):283.

3. Kang Y, Yu Y, Xu S. Human monkeypox infection threat: A comprehensive overview. PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases. 2023 Apr 20;17(4): e0011246–6.

4. Desingu PA, Rubeni TP, Nagarajan K, Sundaresan NR. Molecular evolution of 2022 multi-country outbreak- causing Monkeypox virus Clade IIb. iScience. 2024 Jan 1;27(1):108601–1.

5. World Health Oranization. Mpox [Internet]. Who.int. World Health Organization: WHO; 2024. Available from: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/mpox

6. European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. Mpox due to monkeypox virus clade I [Internet]. European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. 2024 [cited 2024 Aug 27]. Available from: https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/news-events/mpox-due-monkeypox-virus-clade-i#:~:text=According%20to%20the%20Africa%20CDC

7. Alakunle E, Kolawole D, Diaz-Cánova D, Alele F, Oyelola Adegboye, Moens U, et al. A comprehensive review of monkeypox virus and mpox characteristics. Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology. 2024 Mar 6;14(6:14:1360586.).

8. Gandhi P A, Patro SK, Sandeep M, Satapathy P, Shamim MA, Kumar V, et al. Oral manifestation of the monkeypox virus: a systematic review and meta-analysis. eClinicalMedicine. 2023 Feb;56(101817):101817.

9. Amato M, Di Spirito F, Boccia G, Fornino D, D’Ambrosio F, De Caro F. Human Monkeypox: Oral Implications and Recommendations for Oral Screening and Infection Control in Dental Practice. Journal of Personalized Medicine. 2022 Dec 2;12(12):2000.

10. Bagde H, Dhopte A, Bukhary F, Momenah N, Akhter F, Mahmoud O, et al. Monkeypox and oral lesions associated with its occurrence: a systematic review www.sada.co.za / SADJ Vol. 79 No.7 386 > REVIEWand meta-analysis. F1000Research. 2024 Mar 1;12(964):964–4.

11. Iamaroon A. Oral manifestations of monkeypox: Brief review. Dental and Medical Problems. 2022 Sep 30;59(3):483–7.

12. Yasmeen S, Noor R. Monkeypox: red alert for the dentists? Journal of Integrative Medicine and Public Health. 2024 Jan 1;3(1):4–8.

13. Samaranayake L, Anil S. The Monkeypox Outbreak and Implications for Dental Practice. International Dental Journal. 2022 Aug;72(5).

14. Diana Emilia Martínez-Fernández D, Fernández-Quezada D, Casillas-Muñoz F, Josué Carrillo-Ballesteros F, Ortega-Prieto AM, Jiménez-Guardeño JM, et al. Human Monkeypox: A Comprehensive Overview of Epidemiology, Pathogenesis, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention Strategies. Pathogens. 2023 Jul 18;12(7):947–7.

15. Kabir F, Plaisance E, Portman A, Marfo A, Cirrincione K, Silva D, et al. Mpox Viral Lineage Analysis and Technique Development Using Next Generation Sequencing Approach. The Journal of Infectious Diseases. 2023 Nov 16;229(Supplement_2): S163–71.

16. CDC. Mpox Treatment Information for Healthcare Professionals [Internet]. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 2024 [cited 2024 Aug 27]. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/mpox/clinicians/treatment.html

17. CDC. Vaccination [Internet]. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 2024. Available from:https://www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/mpox/ interim-considerations/overview.html

18. Zuiani A, Dulberger CL, Silva, Marquette M, Lu YJ, Palowitch GM, et al. A multivalent mRNA monkeypox virus vaccine (BNT166) protects mice and macaques from orthopoxvirus disease. Cell. 2024 Mar 1;187(6):1363-1373.e12.

19. CDC. Clinical Safety: Hand Hygiene for Healthcare Workers [Internet]. Clean Hands. 2024. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/clean-hands/hcp/clinical safety/index.html#:~:text=Hand%20hygiene%20protects%20both%20healthcare

20. CDC. Respiratory Hygiene/Cough Etiquette in Healthcare Settings [Internet]. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 2019 [cited 2024 Aug 27]. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals/infectioncontrol/resphygiene.htm

21. Salah A, Al-Otaibi M, Al-dhmashi A, Mariee A. Infection control practices and approaches in the dentistry field; a review. Journal of Bioscience and Applied Research/Journal of Bioscience and Applied Research. 2024 Mar 1;0(0).

22. CDC. Infection Control in Healthcare Settings [Internet]. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 2024 [cited 2024 Aug 28]. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/mpox/clinicians/infection-control-healthcare.html

23. WHO. CLINICAL MANAGEMENT AND INFECTION PREVENTION AND CONTROL FOR MONKEYPOX Interim rapid response guidance [Internet]. 2022. Available from: https://iris.who.int/bitstream/handle/10665/355798/WHO-MPX-Clinical_and_IPC-2022.1-eng.pdf?sequence=1

Downloads

Published

2024-10-18

How to Cite

Recommended Dental Infection Control Measures Following WHO’s Declaration of Monkeypox as a Public Health Emergency. (2024). South African Dental Journal, 79(07), 381-386. https://doi.org/10.17159/