Araujo Marcelo W B, Estrich Cameron G, Mikkelsen Matthew, Morrissey Rachel, Harrison Brittany, Geisinger Maria L, Ioannidou Effie, Vujicic Marko
J Am Dent Assoc. 2021 Jun;152(6):425-433. doi: 10.1016/j.adaj.2021.03.021.
In 2020, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the America Dental Association released COVID-19 infection control interim guidance for US dentists, advising the use of optimal personal protection equipment during aerosol-generating procedures. The aim of this longitudinal study was to determine the cumulative prevalence and incidence rates of COVID-19 among dentists and to assess their level of engagement in specific infection control practices.
US dentists were invited to participate in a monthly web-based survey from June through November 2020. Approximately one-third of initial respondents (n = 785) participated in all 6 surveys, and they were asked about COVID-19 testing received, symptoms experienced, and infection prevention procedures followed in their primary practice.
Over a 6-month period, the cumulative COVID-19 infection prevalence rate was 2.6%, representing 57 dentists who ever received a diagnosis of COVID-19. The incidence rates ranged from 0.2% through 1.1% each month. The proportion of dentists tested for COVID-19 increased over time, as did the rate of dentists performing aerosol-generating procedures. Enhanced infection prevention and control strategies in the dental practice were reported by nearly every participant monthly, and rates of personal protection equipment optimization, such as changing masks after each patient, dropped over time.
US dentists continue to show a high level of adherence to enhanced infection control procedures in response to the ongoing pandemic, resulting in low rates of cumulative prevalence of COVID-19. Dentists are showing adherence to a strict protocol for enhanced infection control, which should help protect their patients, their dental team members, and themselves.
COVID-19 infections among practicing dentists will likely remain low if dentists continue to adhere to guidance.
2020年，美国疾病控制与预防中心以及美国牙科协会发布了针对美国牙医的新冠病毒感染控制临时指南，建议在产生气溶胶的操作过程中使用最佳个人防护设备。这项纵向研究的目的是确定牙医中新冠病毒的累积患病率和发病率，并评估他们在特定感染控制措施方面的参与程度。
邀请美国牙医参加2020年6月至11月每月一次的网络调查。大约三分之一的初始受访者（n = 785）参加了全部6次调查，他们被问及接受的新冠病毒检测情况、经历的症状以及在其主要执业场所遵循的感染预防程序。
在6个月的时间里，新冠病毒感染的累积患病率为2.6%，即57名牙医曾被诊断感染新冠病毒。每月发病率在0.2%至1.1%之间。接受新冠病毒检测的牙医比例随时间增加，进行产生气溶胶操作的牙医比例也如此。几乎每位参与者每月都报告了牙科诊所加强感染预防和控制策略的情况，随着时间推移，诸如为每位患者更换口罩等个人防护设备优化率有所下降。
美国牙医在应对持续的疫情时继续高度遵守强化感染控制程序，导致新冠病毒累积患病率较低。牙医们遵守严格的强化感染控制方案，这有助于保护他们的患者、牙科团队成员和他们自己。
如果牙医继续遵循指导，执业牙医中的新冠病毒感染可能会保持在低水平。
