Effect of an N95 respirator and a surgical mask-covered N95 on the cardiovascular responses of dentists treating paediatric patients: A crossover clinical trial

Abstract

Background: The studies on cardiovascular alterations when using an N95 respirator or surgical mask-covered N95 during dental treatments are limited. Aim: To investigate and compare the cardiovascular responses of dentists treating paediatric patients while wearing an N95 respirator or a surgical mask-covered N95. Design: This was a crossover clinical trial in 18 healthy dentists wearing an N95 respirator or surgical mask-covered N95 during the dental treatment of paediatric patients. Oxygen saturation (SpO2), heart rate (HR), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and mean arterial pressure (MAP) were monitored at baseline, intraoperation, and postoperation. The data were analyzed using the generalized estimating equation. Results: The mean SpO2, HR, SBP, DBP, and MAP significantly changed from baseline up to the end of the procedures after wearing an N95 by 3.1%, 19.3%, 11.5%, 17.7%, and 13.8% and after wearing a surgical mask-covered N95 by 3.0%, 20.2%, 5.3%, 13.9%, and 8.8%, respectively (p <.05). No significant differences in these values were found between groups (p >.05). Conclusions: N95 respirators and surgical mask-covered N95s significantly impact the cardiovascular responses of dentists treating paediatric patients with no differences between the two types of masks.