PONE-D-21-29169Application of recommended preventive measures against COVID-19 could help mitigate the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection during dental practice: results from a follow-up survey of French dentistsPLOS ONE

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Reviewer #1: Yes

Reviewer #2: Yes

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Reviewer #1: Yes

Reviewer #2: Yes

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Reviewer #1: Yes

Reviewer #2: Yes

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Reviewer #1: Yes

Reviewer #2: Yes

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5. Review Comments to the Author

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Reviewer #1: The increased social contact is the main reason for the spread of COVID-19 and dentists are at high risk of infection due to their social interaction during the pandemic. This study investigates the French dentist population between July and September 2020 to examine the risk associated with COVID-19. An online questionnaire with 32 questions was divided into eight sections to collect the data about the risk associated with COVID-19, and then the data was subjected to proper statistical analysis. The present manuscript is well written and easy to understand. However, there are few formatting errors that could be resolve in the final submission. Therefore, there is technically no deficiency in the manuscript for rejection. The manuscript discusses few limitations, such as the prevalence of COVID-19 among dentists has been underestimated as only one-third of respondents have been tested, and second, how it is not possible to establish a causal relationship between being tested COVID-19 positive wearing a surgical mask during non-aerosol generating procedures. It is heartening to see authors discussing their results and its limitation in the same space. This study is relevant to publish in the current COVID-19 pandemic as it will help the clinician to understand future COVID-19 waves or another pandemic.

Reviewer #2: The manuscript entitled “Application of recommended preventive measures against COVID-19 could help mitigate the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection during dental practice: results from a followup survey of French dentists” by Diakonoff et al., explored whether implementation of preventive measures, including adequate personal protective equipment (PPE) and room aeration between patients has had an impact on the contamination of dentists. Authors have concluded that wearing surgical masks during non-aerosol generating procedures was a risk factor of COVID-19, whereas reducing the number of patients was a protective factor. This is an interesting study; however, the manuscript still needs some changes.

Suggestions:

1. It will be interesting to know the COVID-19 risk among other health worker other than dentist during the same period.

2. At least one additional Figure (illustration) may be provided as to highlight the summary or prospect of this study.

3. Figures quality may be improved (high resolution).

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Application of recommended preventive measures against COVID-19 could help mitigate the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection during dental practice: results from a follow-up survey of French dentists

PONE-D-21-29169R1

Dear Dr. Smail-Faugeron,

We’re pleased to inform you that your manuscript has been judged scientifically suitable for publication and will be formally accepted for publication once it meets all outstanding technical requirements.

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Kind regards,

Sanjay Kumar Singh Patel, Ph.D.

Academic Editor

PLOS ONE