Effect of an N95 respirator and a surgical mask-covered N95 on the cardiovascular responses of dentists treating paediatric patients: A crossover clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: The studies on cardiovascular alterations when using an N95 respirator or surgical mask-covered N95 during dental treatments are limited. AIM: To investigate and compare the cardiovascular responses of dentists treating paediatric patients while wearing an N95 respirator or a surgical mask-covered N95. DESIGN: This was a crossover clinical trial in 18 healthy dentists wearing an N95 respirator or surgical mask-covered N95 during the dental treatment of paediatric patients. Oxygen saturation (SpO2 ), heart rate (HR), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and mean arterial pressure (MAP) were monitored at baseline, intraoperation, and postoperation. The data were analyzed using the generalized estimating equation. RESULTS: The mean SpO2 , HR, SBP, DBP, and MAP significantly changed from baseline up to the end of the procedures after wearing an N95 by 3.1%, 19.3%, 11.5%, 17.7%, and 13.8% and after wearing a surgical mask-covered N95 by 3.0%, 20.2%, 5.3%, 13.9%, and 8.8%, respectively (p < .05). No significant differences in these values were found between groups (p > .05). CONCLUSIONS: N95 respirators and surgical mask-covered N95s significantly impact the cardiovascular responses of dentists treating paediatric patients with no differences between the two types of masks.

What factors predict craniomandibular disorders in severe COVID-19 survivors after prolonged intubation?

PURPOSES: To estimate and identify predictors of craniomandibular disorders (CMDs) in severe COVID-19 survivors after prolonged intubation ≥ 1 week (SCOVIDS-PI). METHODS: This retrospective study enrolled two cohorts of SCOVIDS-PIs with vs. without CMD during a one-year period. The predictor variables were demographic, dental, anesthetic, and laboratory parameters. The main outcome was presence of CMD until six post-PI months (yes/no). Appropriate statistics were computed with α = 95%. RESULTS: The sample comprised 176 subjects aged 59.2 ± 17.2 years (range, 27-89; 11.9% with CMDs; 30.1% females). CMDs were significantly associated with (1) bilateral posterior tooth loss (P = 0; number needed to screen [NNS] = 1.6), (2) dentofacial skeletal class II/convex face (P = .01; NNS = 2.2), and (3) peak CRP during intensive care ≥ 40 mg/l (P = .01; NNS = 3.5). With combined predictors, NNS became 2 to 4.3. CONCLUSIONS: Three predictors of CMDs in SCOVIDS-PIs: bilateral molar loss, convex face, and CRP ≥ 40 mg/l, indicate CMD screening and/or referral to a CMD specialist, regardless of patients' age, gender, underlying CMDs, or previous dental checkups. Screening ∼2 to 4 "SCOVIDS-PIs with ≥ one predictor" will identify one CMD events/patients during the first six post-PI months.