Role of Covid-19 Rapid Antigen Test in Dental Patients at Tertiary Health Care Center: A Hospital-based Study

Abstract

Objectives: COVID-19 pandemic is considered to be highly transmissible disease that can cause severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS-CoV-2), as dental operatory has a unique environment. Oral surgeons, who are continuously working on mouth-related conditions, are at maximum risk of direct and indirect exposure to these potentially infectious viruses. Therefore, the objective of our study was to evaluate the efficacy of Rapid antigen tests (RATs). RATS are helpful in identifying the viral pathogens and anticipate the need for pathogen testing in the dental operatories. Material and Methods: A total of 103 subjects were enrolled, who reported to Oral Medicine and Radiology (OMR) and Out Patient Department (OPD) at our institute. All patients who reported to our OPD with and without symptoms were sent for RAT before entering the operatory. Demographic data and symptoms such as cold, cough, fever, and breathlessness were recorded for all subjects. Results: In our study, the predominant age groups that were affected by COVID-19 were 21–40 and 41–60 years. Males were affected more as compared to females in these age groups. The most common symptoms observed were cold, cough, fever, and breathlessness. The symptom which was of most concern for us was breathlessness; 1.9% subjects had breathlessness, and all were RAT positive. Conclusion: Unique environment of dental setup possesses a high risk of infection with COVID-19 virus, for both the staff and the patients. RAT delivers immediate, accurate, and appropriate results to dental clinics and their teams, which help to reduce the transmission of disease. It also contributes to the free flow of patients in hospitals.