scholarly journals Is Standard Personal Protective Equipment Effective Enough To Prevent COVID-19 Transmission During Aerosol Generating Dental, Oral and Maxillofacial Procedures ? A Systematic Review

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Essam Ahmed Al-Moraissi ◽  
Marwan Mohamed Abood ◽  
Nasser A. Alasseri ◽  
Frank Günther ◽  
Andreas Neff
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Surgical Procedures ◽  
Personal Protective Equipment ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Dental Health ◽  
Protective Equipment ◽  
Dental Procedures ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Rotary Instruments ◽  
N95 Respirators

AbstractA systematic review was performed to answer the following questions: 1) Do dental, oral and maxillofacial (OMF) surgical procedures generate bioaerosols (and if so, which ones), which can result in transmission of COVID-19?; 2) Are aerosolized airborne droplets (and to which extent is splatter) in dental and OMF procedures infective?; 3) Is enhanced personal protective equipment (PPE) an essential to prevent spreading of COVID-19 during dental and OMF aerosol generating procedures (AGPs)? Authors performed a systematic review to retrieve all pertinent literature that assessed effectiveness of surgical mask vs respirators for protecting dental health care workers during dental and OMF AGPs surgical procedures. Additionally, studies which assessed potential aerosolization during dental, OMF and orthopaedic surgeries were retrieved. There is moderate evidence showing that ultrasonic scaling and bone drilling using high speed rotary instruments produces respirable aerosols. Additionally, there is very weak/inconclusive evidence to support the creation of infectious aerosols during dental procedures. According to available very weak/inconclusive evidence, transmission of SARS-CoV-2 via infective aerosol during AGPS, so far, must remain speculative and controversial. As, however, this is a probable opportunistic way of transmission which at least cannot be sufficiently excluded and therefore should not be dismissed out of hand prematurely, proper and equally important properly applied protective equipment (i.e., N95 respirators or FFP-2 masksv or above regarding mouth and nose protection) should always be used during AGPs.

scholarly journals The impact of COVID-19 pandemic on dental practice in Iran: a questionnaire-based report

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hanie Ahmadi ◽  
Alireza Ebrahimi ◽  
Farhad Ghorbani
Keyword(s):  
Personal Protective Equipment ◽  
Dental Health ◽  
Protective Equipment ◽  
Dental Practice ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Dental Services ◽  
Emergency Procedures ◽  
Dental Procedures ◽  
Dental Practitioners ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background The highly contagious nature of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV2), besides the fact that dental procedures commonly generate blood and saliva droplets that could lead to the contagion have resulted in the closure of many dental clinics. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on dental practice by conducting an online questionnaire among the Iranian dental practitioners and finding their perspectives on the subject. Methods This report is based on a questionnaire that was conducted among Iranian dentists. The survey included questions that evaluate the dentists’ perceptions and attitudes toward the COVID-19 pandemic and its effect on their personal life, financial status, and the quality of dental services for patients. Results Overall, 240 dentists contributed to this study (214 general dentists and 26 specialists). The majority of the participants (n = 170, 70%) did not perform non-emergency procedures during the pandemic. The dental practitioners have suggested several strategies to decrease the risk of contagion, such as reducing treatment sessions (n = 90, 37%), strict triage of patients (n = 156, 64%), and using personal protective equipment (n = 108, 45%). However, most of the dentists (n = 210, 87%) had problems, providing personal protective equipment during the pandemic. Moreover, 97% (n = 234) of the participants reported that they encountered a decrease in their financial income since the eruption of the pandemic. Conclusion Dental health care workers are at the highest risk of contracting COVID-19. Thus, dental practitioners ought to execute the standard protocols more cautiously during the pandemic. They could also lower their work hours and limit dental procedures to emergency treatments to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission. Besides, the public organizations should provide proper equipment for the dental practitioners to decrease the risk of contagion.

scholarly journals Routine personal protective equipment in COVID-19 pandemic: What dentists need to know

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. 102-106
Author(s):  
Ankita Kar ◽  
Udayan Bhaumik ◽  
Vineeth Kumar ◽  
V. Shwetha ◽  
Shruthi Nagaraja
Keyword(s):  
Disease Control ◽  
World Health Organization ◽  
Personal Protective Equipment ◽  
Dental Health ◽  
World Health ◽  
Protective Equipment ◽  
Dental Procedures ◽  
Outpatient Procedures ◽  
Close Proximity ◽  
Health Organization

The coronavirus pandemic of 2019 has increased the risk of occupational cross infections among dentists. Dental procedures are inherently risky in this scenario due to the need for close proximity with patients and generation of aerosols and splatters. Regulatory dental health bodies, including World Health Organization, Center for Disease Control, and American Dental Association, have devised guidelines for various forms Personal protective equipment for routine outpatient procedures during this pandemic and in the post-COVID-19 world. Stringent regulations are also advisable to conserve these resources at a time when the threat of COVID-19 is likely to persist indefinitely.

scholarly journals Modified full-face snorkel masks as reusable personal protective equipment for hospital personnel

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. e0244422
Author(s):  
Laurel Kroo ◽  
Anesta Kothari ◽  
Melanie Hannebelle ◽  
George Herring ◽  
Thibaut Pollina ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Personal Protective Equipment ◽  
Medical Personnel ◽  
Protective Equipment ◽  
Noisy Environments ◽  
Filter Performance ◽  
Usability Tests ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Full Face ◽  
N95 Respirators

Here we adapt and evaluate a full-face snorkel mask for use as personal protective equipment (PPE) for health care workers, who lack appropriate alternatives during the COVID-19 crisis in the spring of 2020. The design (referred to as Pneumask) consists of a custom snorkel-specific adapter that couples the snorkel-port of the mask to a rated filter (either a medical-grade ventilator inline filter or an industrial filter). This design has been tested for the sealing capability of the mask, filter performance, CO2 buildup and clinical usability. These tests found the Pneumask capable of forming a seal that exceeds the standards required for half-face respirators or N95 respirators. Filter testing indicates a range of options with varying performance depending on the quality of filter selected, but with typical filter performance exceeding or comparable to the N95 standard. CO2 buildup was found to be roughly equivalent to levels found in half-face elastomeric respirators in literature. Clinical usability tests indicate sufficient visibility and, while speaking is somewhat muffled, this can be addressed via amplification (Bluetooth voice relay to cell phone speakers through an app) in noisy environments. We present guidance on the assembly, usage (donning and doffing) and decontamination protocols. The benefit of the Pneumask as PPE is that it is reusable for longer periods than typical disposable N95 respirators, as the snorkel mask can withstand rigorous decontamination protocols (that are standard to regular elastomeric respirators). With the dire worldwide shortage of PPE for medical personnel, our conclusions on the performance and efficacy of Pneumask as an N95-alternative technology are cautiously optimistic.

scholarly journals Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies and associated factors in health care workers: a systematic review and meta-analysis

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Petros Galanis ◽  
Irene Vraka ◽  
Despoina Fragkou ◽  
Angeliki Bilali ◽  
Daphne Kaitelidou
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Personal Protective Equipment ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Polymerase Chain Reaction Test ◽  
Infection Prevention And Control ◽  
Protective Equipment ◽  
Positive Polymerase Chain Reaction ◽  
Care Workers

SummaryBackgroundHealth care workers (HCWs) represent a high risk population for the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection.AimTo determine the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies among HCWs, and to find out the factors that are associated with this seroprevalence.MethodsThe Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis guidelines were applied for this systematic review and meta-analysis. Databases including PubMed/MEDLINE and pre-print services (medRχiv and bioRχiv) were searched from inception up to August 24, 2020.FindingsForty-nine studies, including 127,480 HCWs met the inclusion criteria. The estimated overall seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies among HCWs was 8.7% (95% CI: 6.7-10.9%). Seroprevalence was higher in studies that were conducted in North America (12.7%) compared to those in Europe (8.5%), Africa (8.2), and Asia (4%). Meta-regression showed that increased sensitivity of antibodies test was associated with increased seroprevalence. The following factors were associated with seropositivity: male gender, Black, Asian, and Hispanic HCWs, work in a coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) unit, patient-related work, frontline health care workers, health care assistants, personal protective equipment shortage, self-reported belief for previous SARS-CoV-2 infection, previous positive polymerase chain reaction test, and household contact with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 patients.ConclusionThe seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies among HCWs is high. Excellent adherence to infection prevention and control measures, sufficient and adequate personal protective equipment, and early recognition, identification and isolation of HCWs that are infected with SARS-CoV-2 are imperative to decrease the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection.

scholarly journals Pneumask: Modified Full-Face Snorkel Masks as Reusable Personal Protective Equipment for Hospital Personnel

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laurel Kroo ◽  
Anesta Kothari ◽  
Melanie Hannebelle ◽  
George Herring ◽  
Thibaut Pollina ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Personal Protective Equipment ◽  
Medical Personnel ◽  
Protective Equipment ◽  
Filter Performance ◽  
Usability Tests ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Key Points ◽  
Full Face ◽  
N95 Respirators ◽  
Medical Grade

ABSTRACTHere we adapt and evaluate a full-face snorkel mask for use as personal protective equipment (PPE) for health care workers, who lack appropriate alternatives during the COVID-19 crisis in the spring of 2020. The design (referred to as Pneumask) consists of a custom snorkel-specific adapter that couples the snorkel-port of the mask to a rated filter (either a medical-grade ventilator inline filter or an industrial filter). This design has been tested for the sealing capability of the mask, filter performance, CO2 buildup and clinical usability. These tests found the Pneumask capable of forming a seal that exceeds the standards required for half-face respirators or N95 respirators. Filter testing indicates a range of options with varying performance depending on the quality of filter selected, but with typical filter performance exceeding or comparable to the N95 standard. CO2 buildup was found to be roughly equivalent to levels found in half-face elastomeric respirators in literature. Clinical usability tests indicate sufficient visibility and, while speaking is somewhat muffled, this can be addressed via amplification (Bluetooth voice relay to cell phone speakers through an app) in noisy environments. We present guidance on the assembly, usage (donning and doffing) and decontamination protocols. The benefit of the Pneumask as PPE is that it is reusable for longer periods than typical disposable N95 respirators, as the snorkel mask can withstand rigorous decontamination protocols (that are standard to regular elastomeric respirators). With the dire worldwide shortage of PPE for medical personnel, our conclusions on the performance and efficacy of Pneumask as an N95-alternative technology are cautiously optimistic.Key pointsFull-face snorkel masks are adapted for use as Personal Protective Equipment during the COVID-19 crisis, using a custom adapter that facilitates the attachment of inline medical-grade respiratory filters or NIOSH industrial respirator filters. This solution was designed as a reusable stopgap solution for healthcare workers to help address the short-term global N95 respirator shortage.

scholarly journals The Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Dental Practice in Iran: A questionnaire-based report

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hanie Ahmadi ◽  
Alireza Ebrahimi ◽  
Farhad Ghorbani
Keyword(s):  
Personal Protective Equipment ◽  
Dental Health ◽  
Protective Equipment ◽  
Dental Practice ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Dental Services ◽  
Emergency Procedures ◽  
Dental Procedures ◽  
Dental Practitioners ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background: The highly contagious nature of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV2), besides the fact that dental procedures commonly generate blood and saliva droplets that could lead to the contagion have resulted in the closure of many dental clinics. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on dental practice by conducting an online questionnaire among the Iranian dental practitioners and finding their perspectives on the subject.Methods: This report is based on a questionnaire that was conducted among Iranian dentists. The survey included questions that evaluate the dentists’ perceptions and attitudes toward the COVID-19 pandemic and its effect on their personal life, financial status, and the quality of dental services for patients.Results: Overall, 240 dentists contributed to this study (214 general dentists and 26 specialists). The majority of the participants (n=170, 70%) did not perform non-emergency procedures during the pandemic. The dental practitioners have suggested several strategies to decrease the risk of contagion, such as reducing treatment sessions (n=90, 37%), strict triage of patients (n=156, 64%), and using personal protective equipment (n=108, 45%). However, most of the dentists (n=210, 87%) had problems, providing personal protective equipment during the pandemic. Moreover, 97% (n=234) of the participants reported that they encountered a decrease in their financial income since the eruption of the pandemic.Conclusion: Dental health care workers are at the highest risk of contracting COVID-19. Thus dental practioners ought to execute the standard protocols more cautiously during the pandemic. They could also lower their work hours and limit dental procedures to emergency treatments to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission. Besides, the public organizations should provide proper equipment for the dental practitioners to decrease the risk of contagion.

scholarly journals The Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Dental Practice in Iran: A questionnaire-based report

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hanie Ahmadi ◽  
Alireza Ebrahimi ◽  
Farhad Ghorbani
Keyword(s):  
Personal Protective Equipment ◽  
Dental Health ◽  
Protective Equipment ◽  
Dental Practice ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Dental Services ◽  
Emergency Procedures ◽  
Dental Procedures ◽  
Dental Practitioners ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background: The highly contagious nature of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV2), besides the fact that dental procedures commonly generate blood and saliva droplets that could lead to the contagion have resulted in the closure of many dental clinics. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on dental practice by conducting an online questionnaire among the Iranian dental practitioners and finding their perspectives on the subject.Methods: This report is based on a questionnaire that was conducted among Iranian dentists. The survey included questions that evaluate the dentists’ perceptions and attitudes toward the COVID-19 pandemic and its effect on their personal life, financial status, and the quality of dental services for patients. Results: Overall, 240 dentists contributed to this study (214 general dentists and 26 specialists). The majority of the participants (n=170, 70%) did not perform non-emergency procedures during the pandemic. The dental practitioners have suggested several strategies to decrease the risk of contagion, such as reducing treatment sessions (n=90, 37%), strict triage of patients (n=156, 64%), and using personal protective equipment (n=108, 45%). However, most of the dentists (n=210, 87%) had problems, providing personal protective equipment during the pandemic. Moreover, 97% (n=234) of the participants reported that they encountered a decrease in their financial income since the eruption of the pandemic.Conclusion: Dental health care workers are at the highest risk of contracting COVID-19. Thus dental practioners ought to execute the standard protocols more cautiously during the pandemic. They could also lower their work hours and limit dental procedures to emergency treatments to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission. Besides, the public organizations should provide proper equipment for the dental practitioners to decrease the risk of contagion.

scholarly journals Impact of personal protective equipment use on health care workers’ physical health during the COVID-19 pandemic: a systematic review and meta-analysis

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Petros Galanis ◽  
Irene Vraka ◽  
Despoina Fragkou ◽  
Angeliki Bilali ◽  
Daphne Kaitelidou
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Adverse Events ◽  
Physical Health ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Personal Protective Equipment ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Protective Equipment ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
The Impact

SummaryBackgroundDuring the COVID-19 pandemic, health care workers (HCWs) caring for patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in high-risk clinical settings have been obliged to wear personal protective equipment (PPE).AimTo assess the impact of PPE use on HCWs’ physical health during the COVID-19 pandemic. Also, we examined factors related with a greater risk of adverse events among HCWs due to PPE use.MethodsWe applied the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis guidelines and the Cochrane criteria for this systematic review and meta-analysis. We searched PubMed, Medline, Scopus, ProQuest, CINAHL and pre-print services (medRxiv) from January 1, 2020 to December 27, 2020.FindingsOur review included 14 studies with 11,746 HCWs from 16 countries. The estimated overall prevalence of adverse events among HCWs was 78% (95% CI: 66.7-87.5%) with a range from 42.8% to 95.1% among studies. The prevalence of adverse events was higher for the studies with poor quality compared to those with moderate quality (83.5% vs. 67.1%), while increased sample size was related with decreased prevalence (p<0.001). The most frequent adverse events were headache (55.9%), dry skin (54.4%), dyspnoea (53.4%), pressure injuries (40.4%), itching (39.8%), hyperhidrosis (38.5%), and dermatitis (31.0%). Among others, the following factors were related with the risk of adverse events among HCWs due to PPE use: female gender, younger age, obesity, diabetes mellitus, smoking pre-existing headache, longer duration of shifts wearing PPE, increased consecutive days with PPE, and increased exposure to confirmed or suspected COVID-19 patients.ConclusionThe frequency of adverse events amongst HCWs due to PPE use is very high. Further studies should be conducted since the limitations of this review do not allow us to infer conclusive results especially in case of risk factors for the occurrence of adverse events. Healthcare facilities should take the necessary precautions and change the working conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic to prevent adverse events associated with PPE use and minimize harm to HCWs.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document