Investigating the Prevalence and Risk Factors Associated With SARS-CoV-2 Infection Among Oral & Maxillofacial (OMS) Residents in the United States

PURPOSE: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory disorder 2) has emerged as the primary global health concern of 2020. Oral and maxillofacial surgery (OMS) residents, like other health care personnel, have been on the front line providing care to SARS-CoV-2-negative and SARS-CoV-2-positive patients across the United States. As surgeons of the head and neck, OMS residents may be at an increased risk of infection; however, little is known about the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection among OMS residents across the United States. This research study sought to elucidate the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection among OMS residents and explore the risk factors that are associated with infection. METHODS: Institutional review board approval for the study was obtained via NYU School of Medicine. The study was performed via the dissemination of a secure electronic survey to OMS residents in accredited training programs across the United States. The survey elicited information regarding residency training, demographic characteristics, health characteristics, and SARS-CoV-2 testing. Survey data were collected between August 20, 2020, and September 21, 2020, and the data were subsequently exported to SAS 9.4 for statistical analysis. Prevalence with 95% confidence intervals was calculated with the exact binomial technique. Categorical variables were compared using Fisher's exact test, and continuous variables were compared with the Mann Whitney U test. RESULTS: One hundred twenty-nine survey respondents initiated the survey, and 84 respondents completed the survey. Respondents who failed to complete the survey were excluded from the study. Of the 84 respondents who completed the survey, 47 respondents indicated that they had received a SARS-CoV-2 PCR (polymerase chain reaction), antigen, or serology test. Five of the 47 respondents reported a positive result, which revealed a prevalence of 10.64 (95% confidence interval, 3.55-23.1). The presence of symptoms was significantly associated with a report of a positive test result. Respondents who reported symptoms were 20 times more likely to report a positive test result than respondents who reported no symptoms (P = .008). CONCLUSION: In conclusion, this study found that the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection among OMS residents across the United States is approximately 10.64% and the presence of symptoms is associated with a positive test result. Even though the United States has been managing the COVID-19 pandemic for close to 1 year, it is important that OMS residents continue to adhere to infection control measures and self-monitor for the presence of symptoms consistent with SARS-CoV-2 infection.