To measure SARS-CoV-2 anti-nucleocapsid (anti-N) antibody seropositivity among healthcare personnel (HCP) without a history of COVID-19 and to identify HCP characteristics associated with seropositivity.

Prospective cohort study from September 22, 2020, to March 3, 2022.

A tertiary care academic medical center.

727 HCP without prior positive SARS-CoV-2 PCR testing were enrolled; 559 HCP successfully completed follow-up.

At enrollment and follow-up 1–6 months later, HCP underwent SARS-CoV-2 anti-N testing and were surveyed on demographics, employment information, vaccination status, and COVID-19 symptoms and exposures.

Of 727 HCP enrolled, 27 (3.7%) had a positive SARS-CoV-2 anti-N test at enrollment. Seropositive HCPs were more likely to have a household exposure to COVID-19 in the past 30 days (OR 7.92, 95% CI 2.44–25.73), to have had an illness thought to be COVID-19 (4.31, 1.94–9.57), or to work with COVID-19 patients more than half the time (2.09, 0.94–4.77). Among 559 HCP who followed-up, 52 (9.3%) had a positive SARS-CoV-2 anti-N antibody test result. Seropositivity at follow-up was associated with community/household exposures to COVID-19 within the past 30 days (9.50, 5.02–17.96; 2.90, 1.31–6.44), having an illness thought to be COVID-19 (8.24, 4.44–15.29), and working with COVID-19 patients more than half the time (1.50, 0.80–2.78).

Among HCP without prior positive SARS-CoV-2 testing, SARS-CoV-2 anti-N seropositivity was comparable to that of the general population and was associated with COVID-19 symptomatology and both occupational and non-occupational exposures to COVID-19.

To determine the prevalence of severe acute respiratory coronavirus virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) IgG nucleocapsid (N) antibodies among healthcare personnel (HCP) with no prior history of COVID-19 and to identify factors associated with seropositivity.

Prospective cohort study.

An academic, tertiary-care hospital in St. Louis, Missouri.

The study included 400 HCP aged ≥18 years who potentially worked with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients and had no known history of COVID-19; 309 of these HCP also completed a follow-up visit 70–160 days after enrollment. Enrollment visits took place between September and December 2020. Follow-up visits took place between December 2020 and April 2021.

At each study visit, participants underwent SARS-CoV-2 IgG N-antibody testing using the Abbott SARS-CoV-2 IgG assay and completed a survey providing information about demographics, job characteristics, comorbidities, symptoms, and potential SARS-CoV-2 exposures.

Participants were predominately women (64%) and white (79%), with median age of 34.5 years (interquartile range [IQR], 30–45). Among the 400 HCP, 18 (4.5%) were seropositive for IgG N-antibodies at enrollment. Also, 34 (11.0%) of 309 were seropositive at follow-up. HCP who reported having a household contact with COVID-19 had greater likelihood of seropositivity at both enrollment and at follow-up.

In this cohort of HCP during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, ∼1 in 20 had serological evidence of prior, undocumented SARS-CoV-2 infection at enrollment. Having a household contact with COVID-19 was associated with seropositivity.

Dental healthcare personnel (DHCP) are at high risk of exposure to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). We sought to identify how DHCP changed their use of personal protective equipment (PPE) as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, and to pilot an educational video designed to improve knowledge of proper PPE use.

The study comprised 2 sets of semistructured qualitative interviews.

The study was conducted in 8 dental clinics in a Midwestern metropolitan area.

In total, 70 DHCP participated in the first set of interviews; 63 DHCP participated in the second set of interviews.

In September–November 2020 and March–October 2021, we conducted 2 sets of semistructured interviews: (1) PPE use in the dental community during COVID-19, and (2) feedback on the utility of an educational donning and doffing video.

Overall, 86% of DHCP reported having prior training. DHCP increased the use of PPE during COVID-19, specifically N95 respirators and face shields. DHCP reported real-world challenges to applying infection control methods, often resulting in PPE modification and reuse. DHCP reported double masking and sterilization methods to extend N95 respirator use. Additional challenges to PPE included shortages, comfort or discomfort, and compatibility with specialty dental equipment. DHCP found the educational video helpful and relevant to clinical practice. Fewer than half of DHCP reported exposure to a similar video.

DHCP experienced significant challenges related to PPE access and routine use in dental clinics during the COVID-19 pandemic. An educational video improved awareness and uptake of appropriate PPE use among DHCP.