Abstract
ObjectivesDuring the corona pandemic, dental practices temporarily closed their doors to patients except for emergency treatments. Due to the daily occupational exposure, the risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission among dentists and their team is presumed to be higher than that in the general population. This study examined this issue among dental teams across Germany.Materials and methodsIn total, 2784 participants provided usable questionnaires and dry blood samples. Dry blood samples were used to detect IgG antibodies against SARS-CoV-2. The questionnaires were analyzed to investigate demographic data and working conditions during the pandemic. Multivariable logistic mixed-effects models were applied.ResultsWe observed 146 participants with positive SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies (5.2%) and 30 subjects with a borderline finding (1.1%). Seventy-four out of the 146 participants with SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies did not report a positive SARS-CoV-2 PCR test (50.7%), while 27 participants without SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies reported a positive SARS-CoV-2 PCR test (1.1%). Combining the laboratory and self-reported information, the number of participants with a SARS-CoV-2 infection was 179 (6.5%). Though after adjustment for region, mixed-effects models indicated associations of use of rubber dams (OR 1.65; 95% CI: 1.01–2.72) and the number of protective measures (OR 1.16; 95% CI: 1.01–1.34) with increased risk for positive SARS-CoV-2 status, none of those variables was significantly associated with a SARS-CoV-2 status in fully adjusted models.ConclusionsThe risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission was not higher among the dental team compared to the general population.Clinical relevance.Following hygienic regulations and infection control measures ensures the safety of the dental team and their patients.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00784-021-04363-z.
Highlights
The coronavirus disease has affected nearly every aspect of our daily life and brought even the most robust health care systems to their knees [1, 2]
This study collected biospecimen from a nationwide population sample drawn from the German Socio-Economic Panel (SOEP)
The prevalence of participants with positive SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies and SARS-CoV-2 infections was calculated as relative frequencies
Summary
The coronavirus disease has affected nearly every aspect of our daily life and brought even the most robust health care systems to their knees [1, 2]. The high contagiousness and rapid global spread of SARS-CoV-2 have led to an unprecedented lockdown and restricted access to health and dental. Extended author information available on the last page of the article care [3]. Up to this point, the COVID-19 pandemic has caused approximately 5.32 million deaths worldwide [4]. SARS-CoV-2 is mainly transmitted through droplets and aerosol particles [5]. Virus-loaded droplets and aerosols are generated while speaking, coughing, sneezing, and breathing. Those particles are released as a result of various medical procedures such as tracheal intubation, bronchoscopy, and dental treatment [7].
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