Effects of wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) and its role in affecting the work efficiency of dentists during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The risk of exposure to COVID-19 infection through droplets/aerosol in dental clinics has renewed focus on the utility and possible adverse effects of using personal protective equipment (PPE) on dentists. OBJECTIVE: To obtain information from a cross-section of dentists regarding their PPE usage and to evaluate the possible risk factors that can influence their work efficiency. METHODS: A 31-item cross-sectional survey with a structured multiple-choice questionnaire was designed. Social media and emails were used to circulate the questionnaire among dental professionals worldwide. A total of 317 respondents returned the completed forms. RESULTS: A total of 184 (55%) participants reported getting soaking wet while wearing PPE at the end of the working hours (approximately eight hours of working). Many respondents (n = 286, 90%) reported that the use of PPE resulted in reduced visibility of the operating field. The majority of respondents (84%) felt that their overall work efficiency had reduced after using PPE. Binary logistic regression had shown that two significant factors that were associated with reduced work efficiency included, pre-existing systemic illness and getting soaking wet from wearing a PPE. CONCLUSION: Definite protocols should be introduced that mandate the doffing of PPE for every patient, in a separate well-ventilated area where the skin can recuperate from the heat and pressure points caused by the PPE. Dentists should take greater care in choosing the appropriate PPE to prevent exacerbation of pre-existing illnesses, which may reduce their work efficiency.

Management of SARS-CoV-2 Prevention Methods in Dental Offices—A Cross-Sectional Study in Bucharest, Romania

“…Although different procedures depending on the assessed infectious risk were proposed [ 32 ], we consider that proper measures should be in place for all patients, especially considering the dentists’ risk of exposure to bodily fluids [ 33 , 34 ]. Hence, the role of personal protective equipment is pivotal, not only during the pandemic [ 35 ] but in the post-pandemic era as well [ 36 ].…”

Exposure to Biological Fluids in Dental Practice—Narrative Review on Appropriate Risk Assessment to Guide Post-Exposure Management

“…As reported in Iran, the percentage of dentists who did not wear masks decreased from a pre-pandemic level of 4% to 0.8% during the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the percentage of those who did not wear protective goggles decreased from 44.1% to 1.6%, and the percentage of those not wearing gloves decreased from 16.5% to 0% during the COVID-19 pandemic [ 18 ]. However, dental professionals also reported with a high frequency (84%) that COVID-19-mandated PPE was associated with decreased work efficiency and reduced visibility in the operating field (90%) [ 19 ]. For this reason, a decline in PPE uptake might have occurred after the compulsory measures during the pandemic were lifted, but hopefully, the use of masks, goggles and gloves will remain a part of standard dental practice going further.…”