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in pulmonary secretions. The virus spreads primarily by droplet and contact contamination and by aerosols during aerosol-generating procedures (AGPs). The close proximity and contact with these oropharyngeal structures put dental professionals at high risk. AGPs such as the use of high-speed handpieces, ultrasonic scalers, and air-water syringes increase the extent of exposure and risk of infection. In anesthesia-based dental practices, AGPs including intubation, extubation, manual ventilation, and tracheal suctioning further add to this risk. 2 In addition to

Brown J, Gregson FKA, Shrimpton A, et al. A quantitative evaluation of aerosol generation during tracheal intubation and extubation. Anaesthesia . 2021;76(2):174–181. doi: 10.1111/anae.15292. PMID: 33022093; PMCID: PMC7675579. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, guidance issued from the World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend minimizing aerosol generating procedures (AGPs) and adopting personal protective equipment and engineering

“normal.” Some are predicting wholesale changes to the practice of dentistry, particularly due to the risks inherent with airborne viruses like SARS-CoV-2 and aerosol-generating procedures (AGPs). The use of additional protective measures (N95 masks, powered air-purifying respirators, face shields, etc) as the new standard is not only logical but also quite likely, at least for the foreseeable future. However, questions about the anticipated availability of required personal protective equipment (PPE) and the particulars for safely treating assumed asymptomatic carriers