SARS-CoV-2 IgG Amongst Dental Workers During the COVID-19 Pandemic

OBJECTIVES: Since the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak in 2019, special safety protocols have been introduced in dentistry. Dental professionals were determined to be mostly at risk for contracting the virus due to aerosol-generating procedures used. This preliminary study starts the cycle of the laboratory protocols describing the quality and efficacy of laboratory tests in the SARS-CoV-2 immunoglobulin G (IgG) detection in the serum of asymptomatic dental personnel during the last quarter of 2020. METHODS: IgG levels were measured with the use of a semi-quantitative enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in vitro diagnostic kit in the serum of a study group that consisted of 127 employees of the dental clinic divided into 3 subgroups: SUB1: dentists (n = 67); SUB2: dental assistants, dental hygienists, nurses, laboratory workers (n = 40); SUB3: administrative workers (n = 20). Pearson analysis of results from the questionnaires attached to the study protocol were provided to assure that the results compare to the participants’ impressions about their general health. RESULTS: Positive ELISA IgG results were found in 6% (n = 4) of the SUB1 group, 7.50% (n =3) of the SUB2 group, and 5% of the SUB3 group. The percentage of participants without work interruption from the beginning of the pandemic was 54% of dentists and 60% of chairside assistants. CONCLUSIONS: Serum IgG prevalence with the use of a semi-quantitative test was low, and further research on the biobanked samples should follow to determine the levels of IgG with quantitative methods and/or to evaluate the presence of neutralising antibodies in dental personnel. Because of the low representation of seropositivity studies in this group, it will be crucial to confirm the risk of COVID-19 transmission in dental offices.