Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 1, 2025

Oral Biofilm Formation on Different Materials for Dental Implants
Published on: June 24, 2018
COVID-19 Morbidity Among Oral Health Professionals in Brazil
Raquel Conceição Ferreira1, Viviane Elisângela Gomes1, Najara Barbosa da Rocha1
1Department of Community and Preventive Dentistry, School of Dentistry, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
Background:
We evaluated and compared the cumulative incidence of confirmed COVID-19 cases between oral health professionals and the general population in Brazil.
Methods:
Secondary data from notification of laboratory unconfirmed and confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the National data system for 41 epidemiological weeks were analysed and compared between oral health professionals (dentist + oral health technicians/assistants) and the general population. The cumulative incidences of COVID-19 were obtained by the ratio of the total number of confirmed cases to the total Brazilian population or the population of oral health professionals registered with the Federal Council of Dentistry and adjusted by age. The incidences were then compared.
Results:
The age-standardised cumulative incidences were 18.70/1000 for oral health professionals and 17.71/1000 for the population, with a ratio of 1.05. The highest incidences were observed in the states of Roraima (67.05/1000), Tocantins (58.81/1000), and Amazonas (58.24/1000). In 14 states, the age-standardised cumulative incidences were higher among oral health professionals than in the general population. There was a decrease in the number of new cases between the 29th and 30th epidemiological weeks in both populations.
Conclusions:
COVID-19 infections among oral health professionals was similar to that of the general population. However, the cumulative incidence was 5% higher among oral health professionals, varying among Brazilian states.
Practical Implications:
Infection control practices might help lower the risk of contamination in dental settings.
Related Concept Videos
Assessment of the Mouth
Mouth Inspection
The inspection begins with visually examining the mouth for symmetry, color, and size.
Oral Cavity
Teeth: The teeth are the hardest structures in our bodies. Humans have two sets of teeth throughout their lifetime: deciduous (baby) teeth and permanent teeth. Each tooth consists of several parts: the crown (visible part), the root (embedded in the jaw), enamel (hard outer...
Factors Affecting the Risk of Infection
The integrity and count of the white blood cells help the body resist pathogens and fight infection. When impaired, it reduces the body's resistance to pathogens. The acidic pH levels of the gastrointestinal, genitourinary tracts, and skin...
Healthcare Associated Infections II: Preventive Measures
The best practices for preventing healthcare-associated infections include hand hygiene, patient risk...
Prevalence and Incidence
Prevalence indicates the proportion of individuals in a population who have a specific disease or health...
Hand hygiene
Hand washing...

