Numerous studies have investigated using pre-procedural rinses to reduce the number of viral particles and bacteria in aerosols to decrease the risk of cross-infection from severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) during medical and dental procedures. A recent review by Garcia-Sanchez A. et al. confirmed whether there is evidence in the literature describing a reduction in salivary load of SARS-CoV-2 on using povidone-iodine (PVP-I) as a pre-intervention mouthwash. 

It searched MEDLINE, Embase, SCOPUS, and the Cochrane library databases using the PRISMA® Statement guidelines and included Randomized controlled trials investigating the reduction of the salivary load of SARS-CoV-2 using PVP-I. Ultimately, it sorted four articles that met the established criteria. 

The current evidence showed PVP-I to be effective against SARS-CoV-2 in saliva, and it implemented its potential to be used as a rinse before interventions to decrease the risk of cross-infection in healthcare settings.

PVP-I presented a significant virucidal activity against SARS-CoV-2 in saliva, with concentrations ranging from 0.5% to 1%. 

They found that in clinical practice, a 30- or 60-s pre-procedural rinse of 0.50/1% PVP-I could prove beneficial to mitigate the risk of cross-infection in healthcare settings performing aerosol-generating procedures (AGPs) in diagnosed, suspected or asymptomatic COVID-19-positive patients. However, the authors warned to use these results with caution since this review included a low number of studies, and additional RCTs are necessary to confirm the validity of these findings.

Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022 Mar 1;19(5):2877. doi: 10.3390/ijerph19052877. PMID: 35270569; PMCID: PMC8909935.