Abstract
Background: To date, the efficacy of temperature readings of children in the dental setting for COVID-19 screening has not been evaluated. The aim of this pilot study was to assess the usefulness of forehead temperature measurements in a dental clinic for COVID-19 screening in healthy children (without systemic disease) and in children with neurodevelopmental disorders. Methods: Using an infrared thermometer, we recorded the forehead temperature of 200 pediatric patients (100 healthy children and 100 children with neurodevelopmental disorders). We performed temperature measurements “before”, “during”, and “after” the dental procedure. Oropharyngeal swabs were taken of all participants to detect SARS-CoV-2. Results: Sex, age, administration of local anesthesia, and use of rotary instrumentation did not affect the temperature values. In the children with neurodevelopmental disorders with a value of 1 on the Frankl behavior scale, the temperatures were significantly higher than in those with values of 2, 3, and 4 (p = 0.032, p = 0.029, and p = 0.03, respectively). The PCR for SARS-CoV-2 was positive for two patients (one healthy and the other with a neurodevelopmental disorder), whose “before” temperatures were 36.4 °C and 36.5 °C, respectively. Conclusions: Forehead temperatures increase during dental procedures and are conditioned by the patient’s behavior. An isolated temperature reading does not identify children infected by SARS-CoV-2.
Highlights
In February 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) officially reported the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), and, only a month later, declared the COVID-19 pandemic [1]
After SARS-CoV-2 was detected in saliva samples, it was suggested that the dental setting was a setting of risk for contracting COVID-19 due to the close contact with patients and the potential of exposure to contaminated saliva drops and aerosols generated during dental procedures [7]
The efficacy of temperature readings of children in the dental setting for COVID-19 screening has not been evaluated. Their applicability is still less predictable in children with neurodevelopmental disorders (ND) because their thermoregulation might be abnormal due to autonomous dysregulation [10] and/or due to an abnormal response to stress conditions, which can cause changes in body temperature when they express emotions [11]. The aim of this pilot study was to assess the usefulness of forehead temperature measurements in a dental clinic for COVID-19 screening in healthy children and in children with ND
Summary
In February 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) officially reported the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), and, only a month later, declared the COVID-19 pandemic [1]. The efficacy of temperature readings of children in the dental setting for COVID-19 screening has not been evaluated. The aim of this pilot study was to assess the usefulness of forehead temperature measurements in a dental clinic for COVID-19 screening in healthy children (without systemic disease) and in children with neurodevelopmental disorders. Methods: Using an infrared thermometer, we recorded the forehead temperature of 200 pediatric patients (100 healthy children and 100 children with neurodevelopmental disorders). The PCR for SARS-CoV-2 was positive for two patients (one healthy and the other with a neurodevelopmental disorder), whose “before” temperatures were 36.4 ◦C and 36.5 ◦C, respectively. An isolated temperature reading does not identify children infected by SARS-CoV-2
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
