The novel coronavirus and challenges for general and paediatric dentists

Abstract
The novel coronavirus pandemic is spreading at an alarming rate. As of 4 April 2020, it has affected 1 034 163 people globally and 2567 individuals in the Indian subcontinent [1]. The causative agent is a positive-stranded RNA virus which gains entry into the host cell by attaching itself to the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE 2) receptors and has been named the ‘Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2)’. The disease it causes is the ‘Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)’ [2].