The New Normal

There are moments that remain indelibly planted in our memories. They change our lives and habits in both the short and long term. The coronavirus outbreak that occurred in late 2019 in China and early 2020 across the globe will forever be one of those times. Known as COVID-19 (coronavirus disease–2019), this pandemic is unlike anything we have seen. The sheer scope of the disease, the uncertainty about its spreading mechanism, and the lack of a vaccine have made it alarming. While influenza also has a high mortality rate, there is a vaccine to combat its various iterations and anti-virals to help mitigate its effects.¹ Not so for COVID-19—at least not yet.

COVID-19 is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). By now we all know that COVID-19 can lead to severe respiratory complications and perhaps death. As it is a novel, SARS-related disease we don’t yet know if there are long-term complications for individuals who contract it and subsequently recover. When we reach the other side of the pandemic and are able to examine those who have survived (and the good news is that the vast majority do) we will know more. However, if we use the SARS disease as a model, lung and bone consequences could result from COVID-19.²

So much remains unknown. For an overview of COVID-19, be sure to read this month’s continuing education article, “Coronavirus Overview for Dental Professionals,” by  Susan H. Davide, RDH, MS, MSEd; Anty Lam, RDH, MPH; and Christine Macarelli, RDH, MS. It contains pertinent information about transmission, surveillance, clinical signs, and recommendations for oral health professionals. However, keep in mind that the situation surrounding this virus and pandemic are extremely fluid. To help you keep up-to-date, Dimensions of Dental Hygiene has created a resource center for information related to COVID-19 accessible from: dimensionsofdentalhygiene.com. We are also sending out daily COVID-19 updates. You can subscribe to our enewsletters at: dimensionsofdentalhygiene.com. Additional resources to keep you informed appear in the sidebar. Each of these sites contains links to credible sources of information.

All of us at Dimensions hope you and your families stay safe and healthy during this difficult time. While we don’t know when this will end, it’s a certainty that it has changed our lives forever. Through it all, remember the important aspects of life—family and friends. Hold them close as we all face this new normal together.

Jill Rethman, RDH, BA
Editor in Chief
jrethman@belmontpublications.com

REFERENCES

1. Maragakis L. Coronavirus disease 2019 vs the flu. Available at: hopkinsmedicine.org/​health/​conditions-and-diseases/​coronavirus/​coronavirus-disease-2019-vs-the-flu. Accessed March 19, 2020.
2. Zhang P, Li J, Liu H, et al. Long-term bone and lung consequences associated with hospital-acquired severe acute respiratory syndrome: a 15-year follow-up from a prospective cohort study. Bone Res. 2020;8:8.

From Dimensions of Dental Hygiene. April 2020;18(4):6.