LAUSR

BACKGROUND The studies on cardiovascular alterations when using an N95 respirator or surgical mask-covered N95 during dental treatments are limited. AIMS 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 cross-over 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 post-operation. The data were analyzed using generalized estimating equation (GEE). 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 3.09%, 19.33%, 11.54%, 17.73% and 13.76% and after wearing a surgical mask-covered N95 by 3.02%, 20.22%, 5.32%, 13.88%, and 8.75% 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.