The Prevalence of COVID-19 in Dentists and Dental Assistants

The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of COVID-19 in dentists and dental assistants and their associated signs and symptoms. 

A cross-sectional study was conducted using an online survey from 9th to 23th May 2020. The sample size was 385. The questionnaire was registered at Porsline website. The questionnaire included questions about infection of dentists, dental assistants and their families with COVID-19, signs and symptoms, paraclinical tests, and treatments. The data were entered into Excel and SPSS software and analyzed using logistic regression test. 

From all responding dentists, 15.8% were suspected of having covid-19. Based on symptoms, only 1.6% of dentists were highly suspicious for COVID-19. Only 0.78% of dentists were definitely positive for COVID-19 based on paraclinical tests. Symptoms were often very mild to moderate in severity. Among dental assistants, 5.5% were suspected of having COVID-19. Based on symptoms, none of dentists’ assistants were highly suspicious for COVID-19. None of dental assistants were definitely positive for COVID-19 based on paraclinical tests. Symptoms were often very mild to moderate in severity. Logistic regression showed that the odds of infection with Corona was higher in government-sector dentists than in the private sector (OR: 1.189; 95% C.I: 0.812-1.742), in specialist dentists than in general (OR: 1.903; 95% C.I: 0.532-2.245), and in dentists between the ages of 30-60 years old than under the age of 30 (OR: 3.647; 95% C.I: 0.840-15.835). 

 Despite the fact that dentistry is a high-risk job for COVID-19 infection, the overall prevalence of COVID-19 in dentists and their assistants might be very low and the severity of symptoms in case of infection is probably mild.