Application of recommended preventive measures against COVID-19 could help mitigate the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection during dental practice: Results from a follow-up survey of French dentists

COVID-19 in Dental Practice Is Prevented by Eugenol Responsible for the Ambient Odor Specific to Dental Offices: Possibility and Speculation

Dental professionals routinely work in proximity to patients even when either or both of them have suspected or confirmed COVID-19. The oral cavity also serves as a reservoir for SARS-CoV-2 because the virus is present in and replicates in oral secretions (saliva and gingival crevicular fluid), oral tissues (salivary gland and periodontal tissue), and oral microenvironments (gingival sulcus and periodontal pocket). Despite a high risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection, the prevalence of COVID-19 in dentists, dental hygienists, dental assistants, and their patients was similar to that in the general population even during the pandemic. We propose that eugenol, which is responsible for the ambient odor specific to dental offices, could contribute to prevention of COVID-19 in dental settings. Eugenol is not only released from dental materials (filling, cement, and sealer) but is also aerosolized by dental procedures (grinding, polishing, and restoration). Such eugenol has been suggested to possess the potential to inhibit the infectivity and replication of SARS-CoV-2, the entry of SARS-CoV-2 into human cells by binding specifically to the viral spike protein, and the protease indispensable for SARS-CoV-2 replication. It has been shown that aerosolized eugenol acts on airborne viruses to reduce their loads. This review highlights a hypothesis that the environment of dental offices impregnated with eugenol suppresses SARS-CoV-2 airborne transmission and SARS-CoV-2 contagion between dental professionals and patients, preventing COVID-19 in dental practice. Anti-COVID-19 eugenol might give insights into the safe delivery of dental treatment and oral care in the COVID-19 era.

The "new normal" of hygiene measures at the end of the COVID-19 epidemic: a survey among French dentists

OBJECTIVES

The COVID-19 epidemic upset the standards in terms of hygiene and protection in the dental office, bringing additional precautions for dentists. The objective of our study was to draw the "new normal" of hygiene measures at the end of the COVID-19 epidemic.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A self-administered questionnaire about transitional recommendations for oral care in the context of the COVID-19 epidemic was published online in private groups dedicated to French dentists.

RESULTS

The 246 respondents understood the reasons behind those recommendations, since 10 out of 11 measures reached a mean score greater than 2.5 on a 0 (not at all) to 4 (absolutely) scale when it came to determining whether the measure made the practitioner feel safe and ensured patient safety. Besides, more of the respondents intended to maintain the measures than they were to apply them before the epidemic.

CONCLUSIONS

The COVID-19 epidemic reshaped the relationship to hygiene and protection measures in the context of dental practices. The "new normal" of hygiene measures at the end of the COVID-19 epidemic will probably involve more protective measures than before.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

These results constitute interesting avenues for public health deliberation, which would make it possible to best adapt future health recommendations in order to define the "new normal" of hygiene measures in dental practices at the end of the COVID-19 epidemic. Therefore, it could have an impact on all practitioners in their clinical activities.

Factors Associated with Epidemiological, Preventive and Health Care Knowledge of Dentists from North of the Peruvian Capital about COVID-19: A Cross-Sectional Study under a Predictive Model

Aim: In dental practice there is a high risk of contact with fluids that may contain SARS-CoV-2. Salivary secretions in the form of droplets are the main route of infection. The present study aimed to evaluate factors associated with epidemiological, preventive and health care knowledge of dentists from the north of the Peruvian capital about COVID-19. Materials and Methods: This analytical, observational, cross-sectional and prospective study evaluated 142 dental professionals from the Directorate of Integrated Health Networks (DIRIS) in the north of the Peruvian capital during June to August 2022. A validated questionnaire of 20 closed multiple-choice questions was used to measure the level of epidemiological, preventive and health care knowledge about COVID-19. A logit model was used to evaluate the influence of the following variables: age, sex, marital status, children, origin, university of origin, academic degree, work modality, work status and number of training courses. In addition, a predictive model was constructed with the causal variables considering a significance level of p < 0.05. Results: Epidemiological, preventive and health care knowledge about COVID-19 was fair in 17.6%, 34.5% and 57.7%, respectively. Likewise, all the variables analyzed were influential factors. It was observed that being single (OR = 0.05, CI: 0.01−0.26), having studied at a private university (OR = 0.09, CI: 0.023−0.38) and having received four to six trainings on COVID-19 related topics (OR = 0.02, CI: 0.002−0.238) were protective factors against fair knowledge. Conclusions: More than half of the dentists surveyed had fair knowledge about COVID-19. The factors that favored a good level of overall knowledge were: being single, having studied at a private university and having received 4 to 6 training courses on COVID-19-related topics. It is advisable that the competent authorities continue to educate dental professionals with training programs about infection control practices in accordance with the health care work they perform in their specialty. It will also be of utmost importance for the professional to be updated with reliable information accredited by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as well as the WHO.

COVID-19 incidence and vaccination rates among Canadian dental hygienists

BACKGROUND

Oral health care settings potentially carry a high risk of cross-infection due to close contact and aerosol-generating procedures. There is limited evidence of the impact of COVID-19 among dental hygienists. This longitudinal study aimed to 1) estimate COVID-19 incidence rates among Canadian dental hygienists over a 1-year period; and 2) estimate vaccination rates among Canadian dental hygienists.

METHODS

A prospective cohort study design was used to collect self-reported COVID-19 status from 876 registered dental hygienists across Canada via an online baseline survey and then 6 follow-up questionnaires delivered between December 2020 and January 2022. Bayesian Poisson and binomial models were used to estimate the incidence rate and cumulative incidence of self-reported COVID-19.

RESULTS

The estimated cumulative incidence of COVID-19 in dental hygienists in Canada from December 2020 to January 2022 was 2.39% (95% CrI, 1.49%-3.50%), while the estimated cumulative incidence of COVID-19 in corresponding Canadian provinces was 5.12% (95% CrI, 5.12%-5.13%) during the same period. At last follow-up, 89.4% of participants self-reported that they had received at least 1 dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.

CONCLUSION

The low infection rate observed among Canadian dental hygienists between December 2020 and January 2022 is reassuring to the dental hygiene and general community.

Factors Associated with Vaccine Breakthrough Incidence among Health Care Workers Vaccinated with Inactivated SARS-CoV2 Vaccine (CoronaVac)

BACKGROUND

Healthcare workers (HCWs) run a high risk of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The HCWs are prone to the SARS-CoV-2 infection in the hospital despite being fully vaccinated. The present study aimed to address the factors associated with the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine breakthrough among HCWs.

STUDY DESIGN

A prospective cohort study.

METHODS

Participants were 184 HCWs receiving two doses of inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine (CoronaVac, Sinovac Life Science). All participants were followed for six months. Confirmed COVID-19 was defined as positive SARS-CoV-2 by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Before undergoing RT-PCR, questionnaires were used to obtain information on demographic characteristics, profession, contact with COVID-19 cases, personal protective equipment (PPE), health protocols adherence, exercise, and nutritional habits.

RESULTS

A number of 57 (31%) participants were COVID-19 positive. Close contact with COVID-19 cases (adjusted RR 6.82, 95% CI: 1.97, 47.98, P = 0.044), being a resident doctor (adjusted RR 4.72, 95% CI: 1.11, 20.11, P = 0.036), improper mask-wearing (adjusted RR 2.36, 95% CI: 1.15, 4.85, P = 0.019), and lower frequency of eating fruit and vegetables (adjusted RR 2.73, 95% CI: 1.34, 5.57, P = 0.006) increased the risk of vaccine breakthrough. Compared to single surgical masks, KN95 and N95 significantly reduced the risk of COVID-19 (adjusted RR 0.27, 95% CI: 0.07, 0.97, P = 0.045 and adjusted RR 0.25, 95% CI: 0.07, 0.87, P = 0.029), respectively.

CONCLUSION

As evidenced by the obtained results, being a resident doctor, close contact with confirmed COVID-19 cases, health protocol incompliance, as well as the lower frequency of fruit and vegetable consumption were associated with the risk of vaccine breakthrough among HCWs. Appropriate strategies are needed to prevent the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection among HCWs.