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Schwarz KM, Nienhaus A, Diel R. Risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection in dental healthcare workers - a systematic review and meta-analysis. GMS HYGIENE AND INFECTION CONTROL 2024; 19:Doc09. [PMID: 38655123 PMCID: PMC11035909 DOI: 10.3205/dgkh000464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
Background Mounting evidence supports an association between the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and the risk of infection from the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in dental healthcare workers (DCW). However, the prevalence and incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infections in the setting of dental care remains poorly characterized. Methods A systematic review and meta-analysis of studies published prior to Mai 2023 providing epidemiological data for the occurrence of SARS-CoV-2 in DCW was performed. A random-effects model was used to calculate pooled estimates and odds ratios (ORs) with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs). The associated factors were narratively evaluated. Risk of bias was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute tool for prevalence studies. Results Twenty-nine eligible studies were identified including a total of 85,274 DCW at risk; 27 studies met the criteria for the meta-analysis. Among the included DCW, the overall prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 was 11.8% (13,155/85,274; 95%CI, 7.5%-17%), whereby the degree of heterogeneity between the studies was considerable (I2=99.7%). The pooled prevalence rate for dentists and dental hygienists alone was 12.7% (1943/20,860; 95%CI, 8.0%-18.0%), showing significantly increased odds of contracting a SARS-CoV-2 infection compared to dental assistant personnel, the prevalence rate for which was less than half, at 5.2% (613/15,066; OR=2.42; 95% CI, 2.2-2.7). In the subgroup of 17 studies from countries with high income there was a significantly lower prevalence rate of 7.3% (95% CI, 5%-10%) in DCW compared to the prevalence rate in low- and middle-income countries, which came to 20.8% (95% CI, 14%-29%; p<0.001). In 19 out of the 29 studies (65.5%), specific information on the use of and adherence to PPE was absent while in the reports with concrete figures the wearing of N95 (or at least surgical masks) by DCW appeared to be associated with lower SARS-CoV-2 prevalence rates. Conclusions DCW were, depending in each case on their proximity to patients, at particular risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection during the COVID-19 pandemic. Until a significant level of vaccination protection against newer SARS-CoV-2 variants can be built up in the population, dental healthcare facilities should further maintain their focus on using PPE according to current guidelines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kira Marie Schwarz
- Institute for Health Service Research in Dermatology and Nursing (IVDP), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Albert Nienhaus
- Institute for Health Service Research in Dermatology and Nursing (IVDP), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- Institution for Statutory Accident Insurance and Prevention in the Health and Welfare Services (BGW), Hamburg, Germany
| | - Roland Diel
- Institute for Epidemiology, University Medical Hospital, Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel, Germany
- LungClinic Grosshansdorf, Airway Research Center North (ARCN), German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Grosshansdorf, Germany
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Rodriguez PA, Gatti P, Cabirta ML, Baquerizo NR, Prada S, Gualtieri A, Puia S, Squassi A. Dental Emergency Admissions in Emergency Oral Health Care Centers during COVID-19 Pandemic in Buenos Aires, Argentina. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19031528. [PMID: 35162551 PMCID: PMC8835048 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19031528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2021] [Revised: 12/30/2021] [Accepted: 01/01/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
This study aimed to describe patients’ demographic characteristics and treatment delivered in private and public dental emergency clinics and to compare them with a pre-pandemic period. A retrospective cross-sectional study was carried out on patients attending the University Dental Hospital of the University of Buenos Aires and on one private dental clinic, situated in Buenos Aires, between March and June of 2019 and 2020. The sample considered all the patients’ medical records of those requiring emergency dental treatment at these centers during that period. We systematize the treatments required and delivered by the emergency providers into categories. In 2019, 36,071 patients were treated at the university dental hospital and the private clinic. In 2020, 7485 patients received emergency treatment, showing a fivefold reduction. During a pre-pandemic period, in 2019, both oral care centers provided 44,894 treatments, around three times the treatments provided in 2020 during the same period. We have found significant differences in the age groups of people who required emergency treatment in the pandemic period compared to the pre-pandemic period. During the pandemic period, the most represented types of treatment were radiographic exams (3061) and tooth extractions (2583). Conversely, during the pre-pandemic period, the most frequent treatments were radiographic examinations (16,649) and general consultations (10,591). The percentages of all types of treatments differ significantly between the two years except for pediatric consultations and prosthetics emergencies. As the pandemic is still an ongoing sanitary problem, urgent dental care patterns should be considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo Alejandro Rodriguez
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Odontología, Cátedra de Endodoncia, Buenos Aires 1122, Argentina; (P.A.R.); (M.L.C.)
| | - Patricio Gatti
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Odontología, Cátedra de Cirugía y Traumatología BucoMaxiloFacial I, Buenos Aires 1122, Argentina; (P.G.); (S.P.)
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Odontología, Servicio de Urgencias y Orientación de Pacientes, Buenos Aires 1122, Argentina;
| | - María Lorena Cabirta
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Odontología, Cátedra de Endodoncia, Buenos Aires 1122, Argentina; (P.A.R.); (M.L.C.)
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Odontología, Cátedra de Cirugía y Traumatología BucoMaxiloFacial I, Buenos Aires 1122, Argentina; (P.G.); (S.P.)
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Odontología, Servicio de Urgencias y Orientación de Pacientes, Buenos Aires 1122, Argentina;
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Odontología, Cátedra de Biofísica y Bioestadística, Buenos Aires 1122, Argentina;
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Odontología, Cátedra de Odontología Preventiva y Comunitaria, Buenos Aires 1122, Argentina
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Odontología, Instituto de Investigaciones en Salud Pública, Buenos Aires 1122, Argentina
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Odontología, Cátedra de Bioquímica, Buenos Aires 1122, Argentina
| | | | - Silvio Prada
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Odontología, Servicio de Urgencias y Orientación de Pacientes, Buenos Aires 1122, Argentina;
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Odontología, Cátedra de Biofísica y Bioestadística, Buenos Aires 1122, Argentina;
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Odontología, Cátedra de Odontología Preventiva y Comunitaria, Buenos Aires 1122, Argentina
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Odontología, Instituto de Investigaciones en Salud Pública, Buenos Aires 1122, Argentina
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Odontología, Cátedra de Bioquímica, Buenos Aires 1122, Argentina
- Dental Servicios Odontológicos, Caseros, Buenos Aires 1678, Argentina;
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Odontología, Cátedra de Cirugía y Traumatología BucoMaxiloFacial II, Buenos Aires 1122, Argentina
| | - Ariel Gualtieri
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Odontología, Cátedra de Biofísica y Bioestadística, Buenos Aires 1122, Argentina;
| | - Sebastian Puia
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Odontología, Cátedra de Cirugía y Traumatología BucoMaxiloFacial I, Buenos Aires 1122, Argentina; (P.G.); (S.P.)
| | - Aldo Squassi
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Odontología, Cátedra de Odontología Preventiva y Comunitaria, Buenos Aires 1122, Argentina
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Odontología, Instituto de Investigaciones en Salud Pública, Buenos Aires 1122, Argentina
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +54-1152876253
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