key: cord-0067122-45p4go2i
authors: nan
title: Study of UK dental professionals reveals extent of occupational risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection
date: 2021-08-31
journal: BDJ Student
DOI: 10.1038/s41406-021-0255-x
sha: 5cd2800ba0a9643a293ce437410141f95e202239
doc_id: 67122
cord_uid: 45p4go2i

nan

was more rapid and higher in magnitude after a single dose of the Pfizer vaccine.

Furthermore, none of the cohort with a level of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies greater than 147.6 IU/ml in their blood tested positive for COVID-19 throughout the six-month period from the first to the final blood tests.

First author Dr Adrian Shields, of the University of Birmingham's Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, said: 'Understanding what an antibody test result means to an individual with respect to their risk of infection is essential to controlling the pandemic.

'Our study has taken the first steps in defining the level of antibody in a persons' blood necessary to protect them from infection for six months. Furthermore, by comparing the antibody levels we have found in dentists to those contained in widely available reference material produced by the World Health Organisation, we hope the protective level we found can be easily confirmed and compared by other laboratories. '

Corresponding author Professor Thomas Dietrich, of the University of Birmingham's School of Dentistry, adds: 'Critically, only 5.3% of the cohort developed an antibody response that exceeded this threshold of 147.6 IU/ml following the first wave of the UK pandemic. This suggests that natural infection alone is unlikely to generate meaningful, durable herd immunity. '

Co-corresponding author Iain Chapple, Professor of Periodontology at the University of Birmingham and Consultant in Restorative Dentistry at Birmingham Community Healthcare Trust, adds: 'Dental professionals are thought to be at high risk of exposure to SARS-CoV-2 because they routinely operate within patients' aerodigestive tract and regularly carry out aerosol-generating procedures that result in the production of airborne particles.

'Through our research, we have clearly shown that dental professionals were at increased occupational risk of exposure to SARS-CoV-2 prior to the new PHE guidance on PPE. The occupational health measures that have been put in place in general dental practice as a consequence of COVID-19 appear to remove that increased risk, however, this will need to be thoroughly investigated to see if they have successfully interrupted transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory viruses. '

Co-corresponding author Professor Alex Richter, also of the University of Birmingham, said: 'This is the first time the occupational risk of exposure to a potentially fatal respiratory virus has been studied in a large dental cohort.

'It is important that we now progress our research to ensure we have an understanding of how people are protected from re-infection with COVID-19 following natural infection and vaccination.

'The nature and duration of immunity in these cohorts will be critical to understand as the COVID-19 pandemic progresses, particularly with respect to the efficacy of vaccination strategies -single-dose, multipledoses, vaccine combinations -and in relation to novel viral variants of concern. '

COVID-19: Seroprevalence and Vaccine Responses in UK Dental Care Professionals

©Geber86/E+/Getty UPFRONT Vol 28 | Issue 3 BDJ STUDENT 9