THURSDAY, February 25, 2021 (HealthDay News) – Dental hygienists have low COVID-19 rates even though their jobs are classified as high-risk, according to a new study.
The US Occupational Safety and Health Agency (OSHA) declared hygienists a high risk for COVID-19, which is why the researchers decided to investigate.
They analyzed survey data collected by nearly 4,800 dental hygienists in all 50 states and in Puerto Rico in October.
Only 3.1% of hygienists said they were diagnosed with COVID-19, and those who developed the disease were not grouped into a single region, according to results in the February issue of the Journal of Dental Hygiene.
These initial results were published on February 24th by the American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA) and the American Dental Association (ADA).
The rate of COVID-19 among dental hygienists is similar to that of dentists and is well below that of other medical professionals in the United States. It is slightly higher than that of the general population.
More than 99% of hygienists surveyed said their primary dental office had improved infection control in response to the pandemic. The majority of hygienists wore eye protection, masks, protective covers and gloves during dental procedures.
“The dental team followed strict guidelines for infection control long before COVID-19,” said study co-author Dr. Marcelo Araujo, CEO of the ADA Science and Research Institute.
“This study is further evidence that dental care is safe for patients and dentists,” he said in an ADA press release.
Co-author Ann Battrell, CEO of ADHA, said the low rate of infection is evidence that oral health can be taken care of safely.
This “is critically important as the safety of dental hygienists and the patients they care for is paramount to both ADHA and the dental care profession,” she said in the press release.
A related study found that 8% of U.S. dental hygienists have left the workforce since the pandemic began. Of these, nearly 60% went voluntarily, citing reasons such as safety concerns and the pandemic, and childcare issues.
More information
The American Dental Association did more about visiting the dentist during the pandemic.
SOURCE: American Dental Association, press release, February 24, 2021
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