143 - Cariogenic Organism Scardovia Wiggsiae Potentially Affected By Clinical Mouthwashing Protocol

Purpose: The SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic has created new clinical dental protocols
gargling with mouthwash for up to one minute. In addition to reducing detectable oral
SARS-CoV-2, this may also affect other oral microbes. The purpose of this study was to
evaluate the prevalence of the newly identified oral pathogen Scardovia wiggsiae before and
after the clinical mouthwashing protocol.

Methods: Using an approved protocol, clinical saliva samples from the Pediatric dental clinic
were obtained. Two saliva samples were collected on the same visit before and after
mouthwash (Sample A, B). In addition, a third sample (Sample C) was taken upon recall (two to
eight weeks later). DNA was isolated from samples and screened using qPCRand validated
primers.

Results: A total of N=48 pre- and post-mouthwash and recall samples were screened using
qPCR, which revealed n=10/48 (20.8%) of the pre-mouthwash (Sample A) isolates tested
positive for Scardovia and n=3/48 (6.25%) testing positive among the post-mouthwash (Sample
B) isolates. Screening the recall visit (Sample C) isolates demonstrated Scardovia returned
among the same patients n=10/48 (20.8%).

Conclusions: These preliminary results demonstrate a significant proportion of pediatric patient
samples harbor oral Scardovia wiggsiae. Furthermore, the COVID-19 related procedure of
requiring sustained mouth washing prior to clinical treatment appears to reduce the levels of
detectable S. wiggsiae - at least temporarily. Future research could evaluate if prolonged mouth
washing (daily) may be sufficient to induce lasting effects.