The article discusses the challenges posed by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) to dental and oral medicine. The outbreak, originating in Wuhan, China, has become a major public health issue globally. As of February 2020, 34 countries had recognized the disease, with over 80,000 confirmed cases and 2,700 deaths. Infection control is crucial to prevent the spread of the virus, especially in dental settings where the risk of cross-infection between patients and dental practitioners is high. The article provides essential knowledge about COVID-19 and nosocomial infection in dental settings and recommends management protocols for dental practitioners and students in affected areas. The virus, SARS-CoV-2, is zoonotic, with Chinese horseshoe bats as the most probable origin and pangolins as the likely intermediate host. Transmission occurs mainly through respiratory droplets and contact, with potential fecal-oral transmission. Asymptomatic patients and those in the incubation period can also transmit the virus, making control challenging. The average incubation period is 5-6 days, but can be up to 14 days. The fatality rate is lower than that of SARS and MERS but higher than seasonal influenza. Clinical manifestations include fever, dry cough, and other atypical symptoms. Most patients have mild cases, but some develop severe complications. Diagnosis involves epidemiological information, clinical symptoms, CT imaging, and laboratory tests. Treatment is mainly supportive, with no specific antiviral drugs recommended. Infection control measures include hand hygiene, use of personal protective equipment, and environmental disinfection. In dental settings, the risk of nosocomial infection is high due to the generation of droplets and aerosols during procedures. Effective infection control protocols include strict hand hygiene, use of PPE, and environmental disinfection. During the outbreak, dental practices were suspended in many areas, and only emergency cases were treated. The article also discusses the experiences of a dental school and hospital in Wuhan, where infection control measures were effective in preventing further transmission. Recommendations for dental practice include avoiding procedures that generate droplets or aerosols, using saliva ejectors, and minimizing the use of aerosol-generating procedures. For dental education, online learning and self-study are recommended to reduce the risk of infection. The article emphasizes the importance of continuous awareness of infectious threats and the need for effective infection control strategies in dental practices and schools.The article discusses the challenges posed by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) to dental and oral medicine. The outbreak, originating in Wuhan, China, has become a major public health issue globally. As of February 2020, 34 countries had recognized the disease, with over 80,000 confirmed cases and 2,700 deaths. Infection control is crucial to prevent the spread of the virus, especially in dental settings where the risk of cross-infection between patients and dental practitioners is high. The article provides essential knowledge about COVID-19 and nosocomial infection in dental settings and recommends management protocols for dental practitioners and students in affected areas. The virus, SARS-CoV-2, is zoonotic, with Chinese horseshoe bats as the most probable origin and pangolins as the likely intermediate host. Transmission occurs mainly through respiratory droplets and contact, with potential fecal-oral transmission. Asymptomatic patients and those in the incubation period can also transmit the virus, making control challenging. The average incubation period is 5-6 days, but can be up to 14 days. The fatality rate is lower than that of SARS and MERS but higher than seasonal influenza. Clinical manifestations include fever, dry cough, and other atypical symptoms. Most patients have mild cases, but some develop severe complications. Diagnosis involves epidemiological information, clinical symptoms, CT imaging, and laboratory tests. Treatment is mainly supportive, with no specific antiviral drugs recommended. Infection control measures include hand hygiene, use of personal protective equipment, and environmental disinfection. In dental settings, the risk of nosocomial infection is high due to the generation of droplets and aerosols during procedures. Effective infection control protocols include strict hand hygiene, use of PPE, and environmental disinfection. During the outbreak, dental practices were suspended in many areas, and only emergency cases were treated. The article also discusses the experiences of a dental school and hospital in Wuhan, where infection control measures were effective in preventing further transmission. Recommendations for dental practice include avoiding procedures that generate droplets or aerosols, using saliva ejectors, and minimizing the use of aerosol-generating procedures. For dental education, online learning and self-study are recommended to reduce the risk of infection. The article emphasizes the importance of continuous awareness of infectious threats and the need for effective infection control strategies in dental practices and schools.