Preliminary assessment of dental practice risk during Covid-19 pandemic: a case-control study

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the risk of dental practice during Covid-19 pandemic Method: This is a retrospective case- control study conducted in Iraq from 24 February to 10 April 2020, eligible case (693) patients and the control group (693) patients randomly Results: Total number of the sample was 1386 (case 693, control 693 patients), the exposure (dental practice) were 7 (0 5%) patients, 3 (0 21%) of them were positive (+ve) while other 4 (0 288 %) were negative (–ve) result Mean age for case group 42 4 years and for control group 38 7 years For case group 418 (61%) males, 275(39%) females and for control group 402 (58%) males, 291 (42%) females Odds ratio (OR)1 335 at confidence interval (CI) 95% (0 298-5 988) that mean possible associated risk is present but at this confidence interval it is statistically not significant Clinical significance: The use of PPE with strict adherence to infection control measures can significantly minimize the risk of Covid-19 infection during dental practice © 2020 Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications All rights reserved