Research Shows COVID-19 Risk Is Low Among Dental Professionals When Safeguards Are in Place

A new study recently published in JAMA Network Open found that the risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission was low among oral health professionals providing direct patient care in an educational setting when clinicians wore personal protective equipment and underwent regular testing for COVID-19. The study included 390 participants at Harvard University School of Dental Medicine’s dental clinic. Some were providing patient care while others were administrative staff. The COVID-19 positivity rate among clinicians was 0.27% while the positivity rate for nonclinical staff was 0.36%. Study authors suggest that the university’s mandatory testing with a frequency of one time to three times per week depending on risk status was instrumental in reducing infection risk. Click here to read more.