SARS-CoV-2 IgG Amongst Dental Workers During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Objectives Since the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak in 2019, special safety protocols were introduced in dentistry. Dental professions were established mostly at risk of gaining the virus because of aerosol generating procedures used. This preliminary study, starts the cycle of the laboratory protocols describing the quality and efficacy of laboratory tests in the SARS-CoV-2 IgG detection in the serum of asymptomatic dental personnel during the last quarter of 2020. Methods IgG levels were measured with the use of semi-quantitative enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in vitro diagnostic (IVD) kit in the serum of study group that consisted of 127 employees of the dental clinic, divided into three subgroups: SUB1: dentists (n=67), SUB2: dental assistants, dental hygienists, nurses, laboratory workers (n=40), SUB3: administrative workers (n=20). Pearson analysis of results from the questionnaires attached to the study protocol were provided, to assure the results compare to the subjects impressions about their general health. Results Positive ELISA IgG results were received in 6% (4 subjects) of the SUB1 group, 7.50% (3 subjects) from the SUB2 group, and 5% from the SUB3 group. Percentage of subjects without work interruption from the beginning of pandemics involved 54% of dentists and 60% of chairside assistants. Conclusion Serum IgG prevalence with the use of semi-quantitative test was low, and further research on the biobanked samples has to be followed, to conclude the levels of IgG with quantitative methods and/or to evaluate the presence of neutralizing antibodies in dental personnel. Since the low representation of seropositivity studies in this group, it will be crucial to confirm the risk of COVID-19 transmission in dental offices.

COVID-19 related risk factors and their association with non-syndromic orofacial clefts in five Arab countries: a case-control study

“…There is also a link between medical history, depression and anxiety due to the spread of COVID-19 [ 15 , 19 ]. COVID-19 may also be associated with lifestyle changes such as smoking [ 27 , 28 ], which is an important risk factor for NSOFCs [ 29 ] and some subgroups, such as healthcare professionals may be at higher risk of catching the COVID-19 infection [ 30 , 31 ]. The interaction of these factors may affect the risk of NSOFCs and it is important to assess these relations.…”

Mouthwashes and the Effect on the Viral Load of SARS-CoV-2 in Saliva: A Literature Review

“…Once the virus has enters the human body, SARS-CoV-2 infects the nasopharyngeal and salivary secretions of affected patients and its spread has been shown to be predominantly respiratory. At present and worldwide, there is still no consensus on the acceptance and practice of clinical guidelines based on scientific evidence regarding specific standards that dental surgeons should have for public and private professional practice [6], [7]. Taking into account that saliva plays a key role in the transmission of this disease, a possible method to reduce the load of SARS-CoV-2 in saliva could be through the use of a mouthwash, since some of its components could affect the outer lipid membrane of the virus [6], [8], [9].…”