Occupational Infections among Dental Health Workers in Germany—14-Year Time Trends

Abstract

Dental health workers (DHW) are at increased risk of acquiring occupational infections. Due to various protective measures, it can be assumed that infections have decreased over the past 14 years. Secondary data from a German accident insurance company was analyzed in terms of reported and confirmed occupational diseases (OD) in DHW from 2006 to 2019. A total of 271 claims were reported, of which 112 were confirmed as OD, representing an average of eight per year. However, the number of claims and confirmed ODs has decreased by 65.6% and 85.7%, respectively. The decrease was most evident for hepatitis B (HBV) and C (HCV) infections, while tuberculosis (TB) infections were stable. A total of 44 HCV, 33 HBV, 6 TB and 24 latent TB infections were confirmed as ODs. For DHW, 0.05, and for hospital workers, 0.48 claims per 1000 full-time equivalents (FTE) were registered in 2019. In a separate documentation system, between March 2020 and February 2021, 155 COVID-19 claims were registered, and 47 cases were confirmed as ODs. For DHW, 0.7, and for hospital workers, 47.3 COVID-19 claims per 1000 FTE were registered since 2020. Occupational infectious diseases rarely occur among DHW. Nevertheless, new infectious diseases such as COVID-19 pose a major challenge for DHW. Continued attention should be paid to infectious disease prevention.

Attitudes toward Vaccinations and Vaccination Coverage Rates among Dental Students in Greece

“…In our study, most dental students have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19. COVID-19 represents an occupational risk for dentists [ 10 , 20 , 21 ]. Vaccination against COVID-19 significantly reduces morbidity and absenteeism among HCP [ 22 ].…”

“…Insufficient use of personal protective equipment was also frequent [ 14 ]. However, the past three decades occupational infections of HCP have decreased substantially due to the hepatitis B vaccination but also due to implementation of preventive measures, including the evaluation and management of incidents of blood exposure [ 12 , 13 , 20 ]. University-based studies across the world indicate that the percentage of dental students who have completed their vaccination schedule against hepatitis B ranges from 9.4% to 97%, often in association with gaps in their knowledge and practices about blood-borne infections [ 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 ].…”

Air Quality in Dental Care Facilities: Update to Current Management and Control Strategies Implementing New Technologies: A Comprehensive Review

“…The identification of the best practices to maximize safety for patients and healthcare personnel, including dental staff in dental care facilities, is imperative. This is also crucial given the risk of exposure to several infectious diseases, including vaccine-preventable diseases such as tuberculosis and COVID-19 in the context of droplet production and aerosol-generating procedures [10][11][12][13][14]. Review of published evidence regarding the dynamics of air splatters in healthcare facilities indicates areas of uncertainty.…”

“…Furthermore, there are very scarce published data on new technologies in dental care facilities. This is of very important, also given the increased risk of dental care personnel for contracting infectious diseases, including vaccine-preventable diseases such as hepatitis B, tuberculosis, and COVID-19, especially during droplet production and aerosol-generating procedures [10][11][12][13]. Indeed, a recent study using occupational data from the Canadian Occupational Information Network found that four dental occupations (dental hygienists and therapists, dental assistants, dentists, and denturists) ranked as the top four occupations with the highest exposure to workplace indicators that increase the risk of exposure to COVID-19 [14].…”

Knowledge and Attitude of Polish Dental Healthcare Professionals during the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…Cumulatively, these risks can generate anxiety. The COVID-19 pandemic has greatly increased dentists' infection-related fear, confusion and anxiety [9][10][11][12][13]. Ahmed et al [11] found out among dentists from 30 countries worldwide that psychological effects of the COVID 19 pandemic include fear of their family members' infection, anxiety, fear and economic anxiety.…”