Abstract
Objective: Wearing mask is the most effective prevention measure to limit the spread of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID19). Dentistry is one of the professions at risk of contracting COVID-19. The aim of this study was to examine the change in oxygen saturation and pulse rate of dentists who use different types of masks for long hours professionally. Material and Methods: One hundred and sixty eight (100 male, 68 female) volunteer dentists were included in the study. They were divided into 4 groups as those using single surgical mask, double surgical mask, surgical masks+face shield and FFP2+face shield. Oxygen saturations and pulses of the volunteers were measured before starting work and after a half day work (3 hours later) by finger pulse oxymeter and results were statistically evaluated. Results: Sixty seven (%39.9) of the volunteers wore single surgical mask, 38 (%22.6) wore double surgical masks, 35 (%20.8) wore surgical masks+face shields and 28 (16.7%) wore FFP2+face shields. A statistically significant decrease in oxygen saturation was observed after the use of masks in dentists wearing single surgical mask, double surgical mask, and surgical masks+face shield. There was no statistically significant difference in either the pulse rate or oxygen saturation after using the mask in those who used the FFP2+face shield. Conclusion: FFP2 masks did not cause any decrease in users' oxygen saturation. Although surgical masks caused a statistically significant decrease in oxygen saturation, the results did not fall below the physiological limits and were not of clinical significance.
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