Annual dental meeting held in Atlanta canceled due to coronavirus

This illustration, created at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), reveals ultrastructural morphology exhibited by coronaviruses. Note the spikes that adorn the outer surface of the virus, which impart the look of a corona surrounding the virion, when viewed electron microscopically. In this view, the protein particles E, S, and M, also located on the outer surface of the particle, have all been labeled as well. A novel coronavirus, named Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), was identified as the cause of an outbreak of respiratory illness first detected in Wuhan, China in 2019. The illness caused by this virus has been named coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Credit: Alissa Eckert, MS; Dan Higgins, MAMS/CDC.gov

Credit: Alissa Eckert, MS; Dan Higgins, MAMS/CDC.gov

This illustration, created at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), reveals ultrastructural morphology exhibited by coronaviruses. Note the spikes that adorn the outer surface of the virus, which impart the look of a corona surrounding the virion, when viewed electron microscopically. In this view, the protein particles E, S, and M, also located on the outer surface of the particle, have all been labeled as well. A novel coronavirus, named Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), was identified as the cause of an outbreak of respiratory illness first detected in Wuhan, China in 2019. The illness caused by this virus has been named coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

An annual meeting expected to draw 20,000 dental professionals next week in Atlanta has been canceled due to the coronavirus.

The 108th Thomas P. Hinman Dental Meeting was scheduled for March 19-21 at the Georgia World Congress Center and Omni Hotel. The Hinman Dental Society posted a letter on its website Wednesday announcing the cancellation.

COMPLETE COVERAGE: Coronavirus in Georgia

“Our concern is not only for the health of everyone involved, but also the quality of event that we can deliver with the current logistical challenges we are facing,” Hinman posted.

Next year’s meeting is scheduled for March 11-13.