Monkeypox in Dentistry: A New Opportunity for Research and Collaboration

Abstract

Monkeypox virus (MPX) is a new outbreak of an old disease now manifesting in many regions of the world.1 Caused by a zoonotic virus, it may be transmitted through the airborne route, although direct contact with affected lesions or contagious materials are the usual modes of transmission.In the recent outbreak, many of the cases have been identified as being in men who have sex with men, with lesions mainly in the genital regions.During 2022, as of October 19, the World Health Organization has reported in all regions a total of 73,437 cases of monkeypox and 29 deaths. Infected patients usually present with headache, chills, fever, sore throat, fatigue, muscle discomfort, lymphadenopathy, and oral and skin lesions that evolve into ulcerative pustules. Early warning signs of the disease often appear as spots and ulcers on the oral mucosa before the typical skin lesions...