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SARS-CoV-2 Infection among the Dental Staff from Lombardy Region, Italy

Author

Listed:
  • Silvano Gallus

    (Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, 20156 Milan, Italy)

  • Luca Paroni

    (Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, 20156 Milan, Italy)

  • Dino Re

    (Department of Biomedical, Surgical, and Dental Science, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy)

  • Riccardo Aiuto

    (Department of Biomedical, Surgical, and Dental Science, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy)

  • Davide Maria Battaglia

    (Department of Biomedical, Surgical, and Dental Science, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy)

  • Rolando Crippa

    (Fondazione Istituto Stomatologico Italiano, 20122 Milan, Italy)

  • Nicolò Carugo

    (Fondazione Istituto Stomatologico Italiano, 20122 Milan, Italy)

  • Matteo Beretta

    (Private Practice in Orthodontics and Paediatric Dentistry, 21100 Varese, Italy)

  • Lorenzo Balsano

    (Private Practice in Dentistry, Pandino, 26065 Cremona, Italy)

  • Luigi Paglia

    (Fondazione Istituto Stomatologico Italiano, 20122 Milan, Italy)

Abstract

Dentists have been supposed to be among the healthcare workers at greatest risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection. However, scant data are available on the issue. The aim of this study is to quantify the SARS-CoV-2 antibody prevalence and determinants in a sample of dentists, dental hygienists, and other personnel employed among the dental staff in Lombardy region. We used an accurate rapid diagnostic test kit detecting immunoglobulins (Ig) in 504 adults. Of the 499 participants who obtained a valid antibody test, 54 (10.8%) had a SARS-CoV-2 positive test (0.4% IgM+, 1.8% both IgM+ and IgG+, and 8.6% IgG+). A statistically significant association with infection was found for geographic area (compared to Milan, adjusted odds ratio was 2.79, 95% confidence interval, CI: 1.01–7.68 for eastern and 2.82, 95% CI: 1.34–5.94, for southern Lombardy). The clinical staff did not result positive to SARS-CoV-2 more frequently than the administrative staff. This is the first study using antibody test in the dental staff personnel. It shows that the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in Lombardy region was around 10%, in line with estimates on other healthcare professionals. Despite the close physical contact with the patient, dentists have been able to scrupulously manage and effectively use protective devices.

Suggested Citation

  • Silvano Gallus & Luca Paroni & Dino Re & Riccardo Aiuto & Davide Maria Battaglia & Rolando Crippa & Nicolò Carugo & Matteo Beretta & Lorenzo Balsano & Luigi Paglia, 2021. "SARS-CoV-2 Infection among the Dental Staff from Lombardy Region, Italy," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(7), pages 1-10, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:7:p:3711-:d:528964
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Alberto De Stefani & Giovanni Bruno & Sabrina Mutinelli & Antonio Gracco, 2020. "COVID-19 Outbreak Perception in Italian Dentists," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(11), pages 1-7, May.
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    3. Federico Alcide Villani & Riccardo Aiuto & Luigi Paglia & Dino Re, 2020. "COVID-19 and Dentistry: Prevention in Dental Practice, a Literature Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(12), pages 1-12, June.
    4. Maria Grazia Cagetti & Jean Louis Cairoli & Andrea Senna & Guglielmo Campus, 2020. "COVID-19 Outbreak in North Italy: An Overview on Dentistry. A Questionnaire Survey," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(11), pages 1-12, May.
    5. Ewa Rodakowska & Marta Mazur & Joanna Baginska & Teresa Sierpinska & Giuseppe La Torre & Livia Ottolenghi & Valeria D'Egidio & Fabrizio Guerra, 2020. "Smoking Prevalence, Attitudes and Behavior among Dental Students in Poland and Italy," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(20), pages 1-12, October.
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    Cited by:

    1. Rebecca Malsam & Albert Nienhaus, 2021. "Occupational Infections among Dental Health Workers in Germany—14-Year Time Trends," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(19), pages 1-17, September.

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