ABSTRACT
Background: The rampant spread of SARS-CoV-2 worldwide increases the likelihood that dental health care professionals will treat this subset of the patient population. Due to the characteristics of the profession and the virus, two situations deserve attention: the disinfection of surfaces that can be contaminated during dental treatment and the presence of the virus in the oral cavity and the countless possibilities of microbial interaction with microorganisms in the oral cavity. Objective(s): The objective of this review was to point out the current stage of the discussion on dental bio-safety involving professionals, the work team and patients. Method(s): The following databases were consulted: MEDLINE (National Library of Medicine, USA-NLM), Lilacs, Scielo, Embase, Web of Science and Google Academic with the keywords COVID-19 and dental practice, dentistry, oral conditions, mouthrinses. Result(s): Disinfection of surfaces has always been paramount and the protocol to prevent the spread of SARS-CoV-2 seems to be established. SARS-CoV-2 is vulnerable to oxidation, it is recommended to use a mouth rinse containing oxidizing agents. Conclusion(s): Dentists are among the professionals who are most at risk of COVID-19 infection, and they must have extra attention during this period, biosafety measures must be reinforced and patients must be motivated to maintain a strict oral hygiene routine so that there is no accumulation of biofilm and this may somehow interfere with their systemic condition.Copyright © 2021 Bentham Science Publishers.
ABSTRACT
Background: Information about COVID infection in physicians is limited. This knowledge would allow the implementation of actions to reduce its impact. The objective was determining the incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in physicians from health institutions in Argentina, its characteristics, and associated factors. Methods: We conducted a multicenter prospective/retrospective cohort study with nested case-control study. Physicians active at the beginning of the pandemic were included, those on leave due to risk factors were excluded. The incidence of confirmed cases was estimated. We conducted bivariate analyses with various factors and used those significant in a logistic regression. Results: Three hundred and forty three physicians with COVID-infection from 8 centers were included. The incidence of disease was 12.1% and that of global absenteeism related to COVID, 34.1%. Almost 70% of close contacts were work-related. In the multivariate analysis living in Autonomous City of Buenos Aires (CABA) (OR 0.19, p = 0.01), working in high-risk areas (OR 0.22, p = 0.01) and individual transportation (OR 0, 34, p = 0.03) reduced the risk of COVID. The odds of infection increased 5.6 times (p = 0.02) for each close contact isolation. Discussion: The number of close contact isolation increased considerably the risk of infection. Living in Buenos Aires City, individual transportation and working in high-risk areas reduced it. Given the high frequency of close contact in the workplace, we strongly recommend the reinforcement of prevention measures in rest areas and non-COVID-wards.
ABSTRACT
With the premise that scientific disclosure allows the link between science and society, providing knowledge to an audience that is clearly an essential actor in health prevention, our objective is to improve the skills of future professionals so that not only have knowledge of microbiology, particularly, virology but also that they can mobilize, transfer and make decisions in the field of scientific research, diagnosis, and characterization of viral agents, considering in all cases the social impact of this action. The present work proposal was mandatory for the subject Virology and Diagnostic Virology, of the fourth and fifth years of Microbiology (UNRC). In the first instance, we worked on scientific disclosure productions (2016-2018), a totally innovative experience for the subject, being outstanding, from the disciplinary and social aspects, the productions obtained, as well as during the development process of the same, the student bonding, engagement, and connection beyond the limits of the classroom. In the year 2019, we presented the PIIMEG work project Viruses are in the news, the pandemic generated by SARS CoV-2 in the present year, accelerated the objectives of work for the course Diagnostic Virology. Virological knowledge became vertiginous worldwide, manifesting itself in the news of all kinds and scientific publications, which led us to raise and debate about the content of the subject and recently published research, as proved to be the design of new diagnostic equipment to determine the circulation of the pandemic virus in the same experience of implementation. The results achieved in this context were extremely productive, the uncertainty of real-life was shared and the emergence of new virological knowledge to be treated in the subject. This allowed discussion of the subject, its validation, implementation of new diagnostic equipment, strengthening capacities through the design and implementation of solutions to the various specific problems triggered by the SARS CoV-2. Capacities that are expected of a microbiologist, especially in the exercise of their profession and that must be stimulated. In addition, the social and ethical commitment that should be manifested in their professional practice was strengthened and highlighted, through the evaluation of the various voices of international virologists. The evaluation focused on the processes carried out and the achievements of the activity, planned or not.