A review citing data from 10 observational studies involving 6,083 dental professionals across seven European countries and Brazil estimates COVID-19 antibody rates higher than previously reported.
The review shows that COVID-19 rates among oral health care workers (OHCWs) stand at 13.49 per cent, compared to the general population.
“The data indicate a somewhat increased occupation-specific risk for COVID-19,” the authors of the study said. However, they added that “more studies are required, especially later in the pandemic and following vaccination.”
The study used an extensive electronic search of databases such as Medline, Web of Science, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library, evaluating 722 records through the Joana Brigg’s Institute critical appraisal tool. Ultimately, the10 studies that were included, provided comprehensive seroprevalence data on dentists, dental assistants, and administrative staff.
By pooling these results, the meta-analysis estimated the overall seroprevalence of immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies at 13.49%, with a 95% confidence interval of 9.15-18.52%. This suggests a higher level of exposure than the general population, which had been estimated at around 8% to 9.3% in earlier studies.
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