Zemouri Public Health Research and Consultancy, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
UNICA - Caries Research Unit, Research Department, Universidad El Bosque, Bogotá, Colombia.
Br Dent J. 2022 Oct;233(7):569-574. doi: 10.1038/s41415-022-5079-8. Epub 2022 Oct 14.
Infection control is critical for the safe delivery of dental care. Infection control practices must be responsive to emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases and outbreaks, as was clearly seen during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. An emerging global outbreak of the monkeypox virus has again raised potential challenges for infection control in dentistry. Monkeypox is an infectious disease, characterised by a rash affecting the skin and soft tissues, including the oral cavity. Previously, cases were mostly seen following contact with infected animals in Central and West Africa, with limited human-to-human transmission within and outside of these areas. However, since May 2022, sustained human-to-human transmission has occurred globally. Monkeypox can be transmitted via close contact with an infected person, contaminated objects and surfaces, or by droplets and possibly aerosols, which is therefore of potential importance to dental settings. This article discusses the relevance of monkeypox to dental professionals, the typical presentation of the disease, its potential impact on infection prevention and control practices and the delivery of dental services. The current monkeypox outbreak highlights the need for a more sustained programme of research into dental infection control that can provide a solid evidence base to underpin preparedness planning for future outbreaks and pandemics.
感染控制对于安全提供牙科护理至关重要。感染控制措施必须对新发和再现传染病和疫情做出响应，这在 COVID-19 大流行高峰期得到了明显体现。猴痘病毒的新一轮全球疫情爆发再次给牙科感染控制带来了潜在挑战。猴痘是一种传染病，以皮疹影响皮肤和软组织为特征，包括口腔。以前，大多数病例是在中非和西非接触受感染动物后发生的，这些地区内和外的人与人之间的传播有限。然而，自 2022 年 5 月以来，全球范围内持续发生了人与人之间的传播。猴痘可以通过与感染者、受污染的物体和表面密切接触，或通过飞沫和可能的气溶胶传播，因此对牙科环境具有潜在的重要性。本文讨论了猴痘对牙科专业人员的相关性、疾病的典型表现、其对感染预防和控制措施以及牙科服务提供的潜在影响。当前的猴痘疫情爆发突显了需要对牙科感染控制进行更持续的研究计划，以为未来的疫情爆发和大流行提供坚实的证据基础，为应对做好准备。
