Microbiology
Maryam Omidkhoda; Ali Kazemian; Seyedeh Zahra Siadatifar; Athar Nasseri
Abstract
Aim: The COVID-19 pandemic has presented significant challenges for healthcare professionals, particularly in the field of dentistry. This study aimed to evaluate the changes in infection control measures in dentistry before and during the pandemic among Iranian dentists.Methods: An analytical cross-sectional ...
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Aim: The COVID-19 pandemic has presented significant challenges for healthcare professionals, particularly in the field of dentistry. This study aimed to evaluate the changes in infection control measures in dentistry before and during the pandemic among Iranian dentists.Methods: An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted from June to December 2020, and included dental healthcare professionals (DHCPs) practicing dentistry in Iran. Participants completed a web-based survey that included demographic profiles, practice-related details, and information on implemented infection control measures. Data were subjected to statistical analysis using the software SPSS v. 26, and a P-value<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: A total of 303 dentists, 200 (66%) of whom practiced specialized dentistry and 103 (34%) were general dentists, responded to the questionnaire. The majority of participating dentists (85.5%) were aware of the importance of patient screening for COVID-19 symptoms. There was a statistically significant rise in adherence to hand hygiene practices. The utilization of personal protective equipment (PPE), such as gloves, masks, and face shields also exhibited significant increases amid the pandemic. Dentists shifted from using surgical masks to N95 respirators (p=0.05) and white coats to disposable gowns (p<0.001). We noted a significantly greater tendency towards adopting air ventilation systems, surface disinfection and prescribing preprocedural mouth rinses among DHCPs.Conclusion: The study findings indicate increased compliance with infection control protocols during the COVID-19 pandemic among Iranian DHCPs and highlight the modifications made to infection control measures in dentistry.
Microbiology
Arezoo Jahanbin; Mostafa Entezari; Erfan Bardideh
Abstract
Aim: Droplets and aerosols are the main source of transmission and rapid spread of COVID-19 worldwide. Topical mouthwashes and oronasal irrigation are recommended as ways of preventing airborne transmission to health care professionals. This meta-analysis aimed to assess the changes of COVID 19 viral ...
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Aim: Droplets and aerosols are the main source of transmission and rapid spread of COVID-19 worldwide. Topical mouthwashes and oronasal irrigation are recommended as ways of preventing airborne transmission to health care professionals. This meta-analysis aimed to assess the changes of COVID 19 viral load after administration of different mouthwashes.Methods: An electronic search was undertaken including the following databases: Medline/PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Embase. Search for grey literature, and hand search for relevant studies was also performed. The quality of included randomized clinical trials (RCTs) were assessed using the Cochrane Collaborations. Afterward, the relevant data from the included studies was extracted. Inverse-variance random-effects meta-analysis was performed to compare the effects of different types of mouthwashes on COVID viral presence.Results: After screening 1437 studies, 10 randomized clinical trials were finally selected. A total of 884 patients were assessed in these studies. The meta-analysis revealed the Cyclic Threshold (CT) values increased after the use of mouthwashes (MD=2.00, 95%CI= 0.51, 3.49, P<0.05). Considering the CT values are inversely correlated to the viral load, the result means the use of mouthwashes decreases the viral load in the saliva. This study also showed that increase of CT values was statistically significant for Povidone Iodine mouthwash (MD=4.08, 95%CI= 0.13, 8.02, P<0.05); however, Cetylpyridinium Chloride and Chlorhexidine Gluconate mouthwashes non-significantly (P value>0.05) reduced viral load in the saliva of patients with COVID 19.Conclusion: According to the result of this study, the use of mouthwashes reduces the viral load of saliva in patients with COVID 19. In addition to basic precautions for preventing the transmission of COVID 19, using mouthwashes may be a reasonable way to decrease the risk of disease transmission to medical staff.