The infection rate of COVID-19 dentists is still lower than other health professionals

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Chicago, May 24, 2021, “GLOBE NEWSWIRE”-According to more than a year since COVID-19 appeared in the United States, the infection rate of dentists continues to be lower than that of other frontline health professionals, such as nurses and doctors. The research was published online before the print edition in June Journal of the American Dental Association.This Learn, “COVID19 in U.S. Dentists and Related Infection Control: A Six-Month Longitudinal Study” is based on data collected from June 9 to November 13, 2020.

According to this study, based on the number of dentists who have been diagnosed with or may be infected with COVID-19 for more than six months, the cumulative infection rate of dentists in the United States is 2.6%. The monthly occurrence rate varies from 0.2% to 1.1% per month. In contrast, as of June 2020, the cumulative prevalence of COVID-19 among other health professionals in the United States is 3.3% (Chicago Hospital Physician) To 35.3% (Emergency Medicine Services in the U.S.).

Marcelo Araujo, Chief Executive Officer of the Academy of Sciences of the American Dental Association (ADA), said: “Despite multiple regional and national peaks in the incidence of COVID-19 during the study period, dentists still showed persistently low monthly incidences of COVID-19. Rate,” DDS, MS, Ph.D., the senior author of the report.

Dr. Araujo added: “This study shows that the rate of pre-appointment screenings for patients is high throughout the study period and appropriate infection control measures are taken, which shows that compliance with very strict protocols to strengthen infection control is helpful To protect their patients, their dental team and themselves.”

In addition to Dr. Araujo, other authors of the report include researchers from the ADA Science and Research Institute and the Health Policy Institute in Chicago, and Maria L Geisinger, DDS, a DDS master from the University of Alabama in Birmingham, Alabama. , And Effie Ioannidou of Dff and MDS, the University of Connecticut in Farmington, Connecticut, and a member of the ADA Scientific Affairs Committee, respectively.

This study is a continuation of the first large-scale study report The incidence of COVID-19 among U.S. dentists announced in October 2020. The current six-month longitudinal study aims to:

  • Determine the cumulative prevalence of COVID-19 among dentists;
  • Calculate the monthly incidence rate of the same population throughout the study; and
  • Evaluate the dentist’s involvement in specific infection control measures over a six-month period.

The results of this study and earlier studies indicate that the prevalence and incidence of dentists is still low compared to the overall population and other health care professionals.

Dr. Marko Vujicic, chief economist and vice president of the ADA Health Policy Research Institute, said: “This research strengthens the safe operation of the dental care department.” “More than 90% of the patients surveyed stated that they have already seen the dentist or will soon Will go to the dentist, which proves it better than anywhere else.”

The author plans to plan future research projects on barriers and facilitators of wearing personal protective equipment (PPE), as well as the level of protection against COVID-19 provided by different levels of PPE use and infection control programs based on CDC’s recommendations.

For more information about COVID-19 and dental visits, please visit MouthHealthy.org.

Editor’s Note: Reporters are invited to follow ADA on Twitter @AmerDentalAssn

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About the American Dental Association

The non-profit ADA is the largest dental association in the United States, representing more than 163,000 dentist members. ADA is the main source of oral health information. It has been advocating public health and promoting the development of dental art and science since 1859. ADA’s advanced research facilities have developed and tested advanced dental products and materials. Dentistry makes the patient experience more positive. For a long time, the ADA acceptance seal has been a valuable and respected guide for consumers’ dental care products.per month This Journal of the American Dental Association (Jada) Is the flagship publication of ADA and the most-read scientific journal in the dental field.For more information about ADA, please visit ADA.org. For more information about oral health (including prevention, care, and treatment of dental diseases), please visit the ADA’s consumer website. MouthHealthy.org.

Erika Hoeft
American Dental Association
312.440.2598
mediarelations@ada.org

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