Biosafety in Dental Health Care During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Longitudinal Study.

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic had quite an impact on dental health care. Concerns about the risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission through contaminant fluids and droplet formation during several dental procedures highly impacted dental health care, drastically reducing the number of dental practices worldwide. To monitor SARS-CoV-2 contamination in dental clinics, a longitudinal study was carried out during the return of dental practice at university. Methods: Dental health care professionals [(DHCPs); teachers, undergraduate dental students, and dental assistants] and patients were screened for SARS-CoV-2 RNA in a dental school clinic environment from 11th January to 12th March 2021 (9 weeks). Serological testing was performed on DHCPs in two-time points. Additionally, samples with low Ct values were sequenced to identify the circulating SARS-CoV-2 variant and possible transmission clusters. Results: We found a low number of dental staff (5.8%), patients (0.9%), and environment sites (0.8%) positive for SARS-CoV-2. Most positive cases had asymptomatic to mild symptoms, and two asymptomatic DHCPs presented prolonged infection. In the first week after previous exposure to COVID-19, 16.2% of DHCPs had IgM or IgG antibodies against SARS-CoV-2, and 1/3 of them had undetected antibodies in the last weeks. The variant zeta (P.2) could be detected. No cross-infection was observed between participants. Conclusion: Our study suggests that dental practice can be safely executed when adequate control measures and biosafety protocols are applied. DHCP and patient testing, patient telemonitoring, proper use of personal protection equipment, and sanitization of surfaces are essential to avoid SARS-CoV-2 cross-infection in dental practice.

Postoperative complications after dental extraction in liver pretransplant patients.

OBJECTIVES: The liver pretransplant phase requires the interaction of -multidisciplinary teams for optimal patient outcomes, including dental -professionals. In this study, we sought to estimate the prevalence of complications related to dental extraction in liver transplant candidates. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study is a case series of patients eligible for liver transplants referred for dental treatment between 2012 and 2014. Eligible patients for this study underwent at least one tooth extraction, had a complete blood count at the time of the procedure, and were candidates for liver transplantation. RESULTS: Forty-three patients, 12 women (28%) and 31 men (72%), with an -average age of 50.9 ± 11.4 years, had received a total of 116 dental extractions. The prevalence of postoperative complications was 1.7% including two bleeding episodes in the same patient. Seven patients presented a platelet count below 50 × 10³/µL and received platelet transfusions preoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: Postoperative complications following dental extractions in liver transplant candidates are unusual. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Low postoperative complications prevalence indicates that dental surgical procedures may be safety performed in patients eligible for liver transplantation after careful -preoperative evaluation.

Complete removable prostheses: from expectation to (dis)satisfaction.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this survey was to increase our knowledge on the experience and feelings of edentulous people, 6 months after having acquired and worn a pair of complete removable prostheses. BACKGROUND: The incorporation of conventional, complete removable prostheses may be an appropriate treatment which can result in an improvement in the quality of life of people who have lost their teeth. METHODS: The 12 patients of the sample were interviewed individually according to a semi-structured questionnaire so as to create an atmosphere for open conversation regarding the subject matter. For each participant, photographs, before dental treatment and after the use of the prostheses, were taken. The images of the prostheses were reviewed and impressions were collected. RESULTS: The analysis of participant's statements allowed one to verify if the complete removable prostheses improved the quality of life; however, difficulties encountered could lead users to abandon their prostheses. CONCLUSION: Appropriate investment on the part of health professionals, together with the clarification of information and the monitoring of patients, may well minimise these difficulties.