Hazmat dentistry?

I sincerely hope this is overkill, because I  don't want to practice in a hazmat suit outfitted with a respirator. I remember when AIDs was discovered in the early 1980's and the fear it engendered in the dental community. All sorts of solutions were suggested and it took about a year for things to settle down and for a protocol involving universal precautions that included sterilization of dental handpieces and dental instruments and the wearing of gloves and masks to become the standard for dental care.

Probably over the next twelve months our profession will develop universal precautions suitable for treating our patients safely. Surely disposable respirators and face shields for all staff treating patients may be recommended.  Once they are available we may be able to administer 15 minute point of care tests for CoV19N95.  Using rubbler dams when possible seems like a good way of providing a barrier to oral splatter. Frankly I do not know what the protocol will be, but I am sure whatever it turns out to be, we will continue to be able to treat our patients in a safe manner.