COVID-19 Virus Transmission Rate in a Los Angeles County Hospital Dental Clinic: A Retrospective Study.
Author(s): Fawzia Bardag-Gorce
Abstract
The advent of SARS-CoV-2 has dramatically reshaped the healthcare landscape over the past two and a half years. Through global efforts, COVID-19 appears to have been successfully contained, primarily through the deployment of physical barriers, distancing measures, and, subsequently, widespread vaccinations. This transformative period has also impacted the field of dentistry, which, despite its vigilance in preventing infectious disease spread, faced unprecedented challenges. This study assesses potential transmission rates among patients attending a hospital dental clinic, employing early interventions and adherence to local and international guidelines. A retrospective search of Electronic Medical Records (EMR) was conducted in a county hospital dental clinic over two distinct date ranges, spanning pre-vaccination and the Delta/Omicron variants. Of 3,016 patient visits, nine tested positive for COVID-19 within two weeks of their appointments, yielding a potential transmission rate of 0.17%-significantly lower than the 7-8% community spread rate. It is crucial to note that this correlation does not imply causation, given the challenge of pinpointing the exact source of infection.