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A COVID-19 Exposure at a Dental Clinic Where Healthcare Workers Routinely Use Particulate Filtering Respirators.
Kim, Dosup; Ko, Jae-Hoon; Peck, Kyong Ran; Baek, Jin Yang; Moon, Hee-Won; Ki, Hyun Kyun; Yoon, Ji Hyun; Kim, Hyo Jin; Choi, Jeong Hwa; Park, Ga Eun.
  • Kim D; Jaw Surgery Center, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Dentistry, Konkuk University of Medical Center, Seoul 05030, Korea.
  • Ko JH; Samsung Medical Center, Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul 06351, Korea.
  • Peck KR; Samsung Medical Center, Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul 06351, Korea.
  • Baek JY; Asia Pacific Foundation for Infectious Diseases (APFID), Seoul 06362, Korea.
  • Moon HW; Department of Laboratory Medicine, Konkuk University of Medical Center, Seoul 05030, Korea.
  • Ki HK; Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Konkuk University of Medical Center, Konkuk University School of Medicine, 120-1 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 05030, Korea.
  • Yoon JH; Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Konkuk University of Medical Center, Konkuk University School of Medicine, 120-1 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 05030, Korea.
  • Kim HJ; Infection Control Office, Konkuk University of Medical Center, Seoul 05030, Korea.
  • Choi JH; Infection Control Office, Konkuk University of Medical Center, Seoul 05030, Korea.
  • Park GE; Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Konkuk University of Medical Center, Konkuk University School of Medicine, 120-1 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 05030, Korea.
Int J Environ Res Public Health ; 18(12)2021 06 16.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1273426
ABSTRACT
Asymptomatic/mildly symptomatic coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients produce a considerable amount of virus and transmit severe acute respiratory syndrome virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) through close contact. Preventing in-hospital transmission of SARS-CoV-2 is challenging, since symptom-based screening protocols may miss asymptomatic/mildly symptomatic patients. In particular, dental healthcare workers (HCWs) are at high risk of exposure, as face-to-face contact and exposure to oral secretions is unavoidable. We report exposure of HCWs during dental procedures on a mild symptomatic COVID-19 patient. A 32-year-old male visited a dental clinic at a tertiary care hospital. He experienced mild cough, which started three days before the dental visit, but did not report his symptom during the entrance screening. He underwent several dental procedures and imaging for orthognathic surgery without wearing a mask. Seven HCWs were closely exposed to the patient during dental procedures that could have generated droplets and aerosols. One HCW had close contact with the patient during radiologic exams, and seven HCWs had casual contact. All HCWs wore particulate filtering respirators with 94% filter capacity and gloves, but none wore eye protection or gowns. The next day, the patient experienced dysgeusia and was diagnosed with COVID-19 with high viral load. All HCWs who had close contact with the patient were quarantined for 14 days, and polymerase chain reaction and antibody tests for SARS-CoV-2 were negative. This exposure event suggests the protective effect of particulate filtering respirators in dental clinics. The recommendations of different levels of personal protective equipment (PPE) for dental HCWs according to the procedure types should be established according to the planned procedure, the risk of COVID-19 infection of the patient, and the outbreak situation of the community.
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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Dental Clinics / COVID-19 Type of study: Case report / Prognostic study Limits: Adult / Humans / Male Language: English Year: 2021 Document Type: Article

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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Dental Clinics / COVID-19 Type of study: Case report / Prognostic study Limits: Adult / Humans / Male Language: English Year: 2021 Document Type: Article