Dentists’ Working Conditions during the First COVID-19 Pandemic Lockdown: An Online Survey

Wiesmüller, Vera; Bruckmoser, Emanuel; Kapferer-Seebacher, Ines; Fink, Klaus; Neururer, Sabrina; Schnabl, Dagmar; Laimer, Johannes

doi:10.3390/healthcare9030364

Cited by 10 publications

(19 citation statements)

References 20 publications

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“…Our study found a reduction in the number of admitted patients during the first wave of the pandemic, which is consistent with other studies [9,39,[46][47][48][49][50]. Earlier research on the Polish dentists conducted at the beginning of the pandemic showed that as many as 71.2% of them completely suspended their practice in response to the pandemic [9].…”

Section: Discussion and Additional Resultssupporting

confidence: 92%

Knowledge and Attitude of Polish Dental Healthcare Professionals during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Turska‐Szybka

Prokopczyk

Winkielman

et al. 2021

IJERPH

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Objectives: This study analyzed Polish dentists’ knowledge of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and the main problems in their work during the early phase of the pandemic. Methods: Dentists responded to an online anonymous survey consisting of 57 questions relating to socio-demographics, knowledge about COVID-19, and office procedures. The obtained data were analyzed using basic descriptive statistics, significance of dependencies and Chi square and Mann–Whitney tests; p < 0.05. Results: Ultimately, responses from 730 dentists were included. The mean age was 43.62 ± 11.57. Almost 3/4 of the respondents followed the information on COVID-19. A total of 95.5% had knowledge about COVID-19. Genetic testing was the basic test according to 69.2%. Further, 56.0% were concerned about the pandemic, and 23.6% were significantly anxious. In addition, 42.1% considered a risk of infection with the SARS-CoV-2 in the workplace as very high. A total of 84.0% admitted patients performing a triage and using personal protective equipment (PPE). Further, 44.5% planned to become vaccinated. Continuing the work during the pandemic was strongly correlated with age, sector, and location and duration of work. Conclusions: Most Polish dentists follow the information on the COVID-19 protocol and have sufficient knowledge about COVID-19. Dentists are concerned and anxious about the situation. The vast majority admitted patients during the pandemic and use PPE. Only almost half plan to be vaccinated.

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Section: Discussion and Additional Resultssupporting

confidence: 92%

Knowledge and Attitude of Polish Dental Healthcare Professionals during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Turska‐Szybka

Prokopczyk

Winkielman

et al. 2021

IJERPH

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“…The high risk of infection in the dental working conditions in Austria, Germany and Switzerland was acknowledged in this study as well as the need of evaluation of the number of infections among dentists in other European countries was mentioned. Also previously mentioned studies suggest more researches on the influence of pandemic on dental working environment should be carried out [ 8 , 9 , 15 ]. Thus our study reports data from two countries in Europe and allows making primary conclusions on how the working conditions of the dentists were affected by COVID-19.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of COVID-19 Pandemic on Working Conditions of Dentists in Poland and Turkey

Sözkes

Olszewska-Czyż

2021

Medicina

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Background and Objectives: Due to the specific working conditions dental professionals represent a group of high risk of infection and COVID-19 pandemic in many ways have influenced their working environment. The aim of this study was to evaluate effects of COVID-19 pandemic on working conditions of dentists in Poland and Turkey. Materials and Methods: The study was an anonymous online questionnaire conducted among thedentists in two countries: Poland and Turkey. The survey consisted of general questions, COVID-19 pandemic infection and working history as well as working conditions before and during pandemic. Chi-square test, Fisher’s Exact test, Fisher Freeman Halton test and Continuity (Yates) Correction were used to compare qualitative data. Results: The study was conducted with a total of 400 participants, 162 (40.5%) men and 238 (59.5%) women, aged between 23 and 67. The mean age of the participants was 42.39 ± 9.99 years. Positive COVID-19 test results among dentists in Poland were found to be significantly higher than in Turkey. Time of dental procedures during the COVID-19 pandemic in Poland and Turkey was significantly increased. The usage of N95/FFP2 or N99/FFP3 masks and surgical gowns during COVID-19 pandemic compared to pre-COVID-19 periods was clearly higher (p < 0.05). Reusable full-face and half-face elastomeric respirators are increasingly used in Turkey. During the COVID-19 pandemic a 25% decrease in dentists’ income in Poland (81%) was significantly high than in Turkey (47.5%). Conclusions: COVID-19 pandemic has influenced working conditions of dentists. Many dentists got infected during the pandemic, dental procedures’ time has increased, and protective equipment usage has become higher. Further studies analyzing the working conditions of dentists during COVID-19 pandemic should be conducted for better planning of future decisions taken by governments and authorities.

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“…The range of dental services provided in the office as part of general primary care, dental surgery, paediatric dentistry and conservative dentistry was limited to procedures necessary in cases of urgent need for intervention: i.e. pain, inflammation and purulent processes, injuries, cysts, and conditions with risk of complications in patients 32 , 33 .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

SARS-CoV-2 IgG Amongst Dental Workers During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Duś-Ilnicka

Szczygielska

Kuźniarski

et al. 2022

International Dental Journal

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Objectives Since the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak in 2019, special safety protocols were introduced in dentistry. Dental professions were established mostly at risk of gaining the virus because of aerosol generating procedures used. This preliminary study, starts the cycle of the laboratory protocols describing the quality and efficacy of laboratory tests in the SARS-CoV-2 IgG detection in the serum of asymptomatic dental personnel during the last quarter of 2020. Methods IgG levels were measured with the use of semi-quantitative enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in vitro diagnostic (IVD) kit in the serum of study group that consisted of 127 employees of the dental clinic, divided into three subgroups: SUB1: dentists (n=67), SUB2: dental assistants, dental hygienists, nurses, laboratory workers (n=40), SUB3: administrative workers (n=20). Pearson analysis of results from the questionnaires attached to the study protocol were provided, to assure the results compare to the subjects impressions about their general health. Results Positive ELISA IgG results were received in 6% (4 subjects) of the SUB1 group, 7.50% (3 subjects) from the SUB2 group, and 5% from the SUB3 group. Percentage of subjects without work interruption from the beginning of pandemics involved 54% of dentists and 60% of chairside assistants. Conclusion Serum IgG prevalence with the use of semi-quantitative test was low, and further research on the biobanked samples has to be followed, to conclude the levels of IgG with quantitative methods and/or to evaluate the presence of neutralizing antibodies in dental personnel. Since the low representation of seropositivity studies in this group, it will be crucial to confirm the risk of COVID-19 transmission in dental offices.

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Dentists’ Working Conditions during the First COVID-19 Pandemic Lockdown: An Online Survey

Cited by 10 publications

References 20 publications

Knowledge and Attitude of Polish Dental Healthcare Professionals during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Knowledge and Attitude of Polish Dental Healthcare Professionals during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Effects of COVID-19 Pandemic on Working Conditions of Dentists in Poland and Turkey

SARS-CoV-2 IgG Amongst Dental Workers During the COVID-19 Pandemic

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