ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Coronaviruses which have been responsible for numerous epidemics worldwide, share common transmission modalities and pose a risk within dental clinics. Updated, COVID-19 specific infection control and personal protective equipment (PPE) guidelines for dental settings, including minimizing aerosol generating procedures (AGPs), were issued by the Israeli Ministry of Health (MoH) in spring 2020. This study investigated dental team members (dentists, dental assistants and hygienists) compliance with MoH recommendations exposed to asymptomatic COVID-19 positive patients. METHODS: The MoH analyzed exposure reports from dental clinics to asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 positive patients following their reopening (April 2020). Exposure reports were verified against a COVID-19 national database. A cumulative transmission rate was calculated and compared to the rate in the population. RESULTS: 1323 exposure reports were received (May 1st - December 31st 2020) regarding dental team members who treated asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 positive patients: 525 (39.7%) were dentists, 656 (49.6%) dental assistants, and 126 (9.5%) hygienists. Practitioner type was not reported in 16 (1.2%) cases. Most dental team members reported full PPE use and performance of short/non-aerosol generating procedures. Dentists and hygienists reported higher compliance compared with dental assistants. 8 (0.6%) dental team members (4 dentists, 4 dental assistants) were positive post-exposure, with an average of 5.4 days (median 5 days, SD = 4.8) from dental treatment to a positive COVID-19 test. PRINCIPAL CONCLUSIONS: Most dental team members complied fully with the MoH recommendations. Differences were found between the dental team members (hygienists being most adherent). Further efforts are required to encourage full compliance.