The Role of Oral Health in the Acquisition and Severity of SARS-CoV-2: A Retrospective Chart Review.

Objective: Studies have shown that gingival crevices may be a significant route for SARS-CoV-2 entry. However, the role of oral health in the acquisition and severity of COVID-19 is not known. Design: A retrospective analysis was performed using electronic health record data from a large urban academic medical center between 12/1/2019 and 8/24/2020. A total of 387 COVID-19 positive cases were identified and matched 1:1 by age, sex, and race to 387 controls without COVID-19 diagnoses. Demographics, number of missing teeth and alveolar crestal height were determined from radiographs and medical/dental charts. In a subgroup of 107 cases and controls, we also examined the rate of change in alveolar crestal height. A conditional logistic regression model was utilized to assess association between alveolar crestal height and missing teeth with COVID-19 status and with hospitalization status among COVID-19 cases. Results: Increased alveolar bone loss, OR = 4.302 (2.510 - 7.376), fewer missing teeth, OR = 0.897 (0.835-0.965) and lack of smoking history distinguished COVID-19 cases from controls. After adjusting for time between examinations, cases with COVID-19 had greater alveolar bone loss compared to controls (0.641 ± 0.613 mm vs 0.260 ± 0.631 mm, p < 0.01.) Among cases with COVID-19, increased number of missing teeth OR = 2.1871 (1.146- 4.174) was significantly associated with hospitalization. Conclusions: Alveolar bone loss and missing teeth are positively associated with the acquisition and severity of COVID-19 disease, respectively.

A collaborative response to equitable food access during COVID-19: Building from Mass in Motion practices

The Mass in Motion Municipal Wellness and Leadership initiative at the Massachusetts Department of Public Health provides local capacity to implement proven policies and practices creating environments supportive of healthy living, including food access efforts. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Mass in Motion has offered a crucial approach and infrastructure to address local food access needs exacerbated by the pandemic. The core components of Mass in Motion and its resulting impacts demonstrate a best practice approach to responding to immediate food access needs while leveraging long-term sustainable solutions.