Hantavirus in Dentistry: Occupational Exposure Considerations and a Proposed Tiered Infection Prevention and Control Framework-A Narrative Review

Objective

The aim of this study is to synthesize evidence on hantavirus transmission and occupational exposure pathways relevant to dentistry, and to propose an evidence-informed tiered infection prevention and control (IPC) framework that distinguishes established from theoretical risk. Material and methods: The initial narrative search covered database inception through May 15, 2026 in MEDLINE/PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, Google Scholar, and WHO/CDC/ECDC/OSHA sources, followed by a targeted PubMed/MEDLINE and public-health guidance update through August 18, 2026. Approximately 1450 records were identified. After duplicate removal, 1070 records were subjected to title/abstract screening, 215 full-text records were assessed for eligibility, and 45 sources were included in the final synthesis, comprising 34 peer-reviewed publications and 11 gray-literature or public-health guidance sources.