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Background: Dentists and dental auxiliaries are considered at high risk for the spread of COVID-19 due to their direct contact with the patient's oral cavity. The stress of being infected with the virus was high during the pandemic. This research aims to estimate the psychological impact of COVID-19 on dental assistants in Saudi Arabia during this pandemic. Methodology: This questionnaire-based cross-sectional study used a pre-validated Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scale with 21 Items (DASS-21) to assess the psychological impact on the mental health of dental assistants during the COVID-19 pandemic. The questionnaire was sent to the participants through the mail using Google Forms. One reminder email was sent after a week to fill out and submit the form. Data were entered using Microsoft Excel and later analyzed by the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences software. Results: The response rate was 75% (210 out of 280). Most participants were 20–40 years old and only 10 were above 50. Most participants were females (180) and were of non-Saudi origin. The results of a comparison of DASS scores between males and females were statistically significant (p = 0.001), with a higher mean total DASS score noted in males (20.03) compared to females (13.68). Conclusion: Healthcare workers in direct contact with patients, such as dental assistants, have a higher risk of contracting the infection, which increases their psychological stress and anxiety.
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Background: Proper use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is an integral part of infection control and prevention of cross-infection during dental treatment, which has gained momentum following the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Aim(s): This cross-sectional descriptive study aimed to assess the attitude and commitments of Dental Health Care Providers (DHCP) and students at Riyadh Elm University (REU) teaching hospitals to (PPE) during their daily practice. Material(s) and Method(s): Data was collected using an electronic, close-ended questionnaire uploaded through Google Forms and sent via email to the study population. It consisted of twenty questions targeting the health care provider at (REU) dental hospitals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. In addition to the demographic data, the questions were directed at assessing the participants' attitudes and commitment toward (PPE) during their daily clinical work. Result(s): The total number of participants was 136 (57.4% male and 42.6% female). Most of the participants used to wear surgical medical masks (63.2%). N95 masks were used by only 11.8% of the respondents. More than half of the participants (58.8%) used to wear the masks for four hours, with a statistically significant difference between males and females regarding the masks' time (P-value =.0021). 91.9% of the time, the mask was worn during the patient examination and history taking. Only 58.1% and 85.3% of respondents reported using face coverage and eye protection, respectively. A head cap was used routinely by 55.1% of the participants. Dental assistants adhered to PPE and measures better than the other groups, especially when wearing gowns and head caps (P 0.05). Only 69.9% of the respondents answered correctly about the correct sequence of wearing PPE, and only 54.1% knew the correct sequence of removing PPE. Conclusion(s): The general practices and commitment to PPE among DHCPs at REU are acceptable. There was a lack of knowledge regarding proper donning and doffing sequences. Compliance with eye protection and hand hygiene practice recommendations needs improvement. Dental assistance demonstrated better commitment to eye protection, gown, and head cap-wearing and better knowledge regarding donning and doffing than other DHCPs. Copyright © 2022 Ubiquity Press. All rights reserved.
RESUMO
Background: Occupational hazards and risks are a common public health issue, especially when healthcare workers safety is concerned;they are on high risk of catching infections such like COVID-19. The possibility of cross-infection between dental practitioners and patients is significantly higher due to the close exposure of dental staff to patient oral environment. Aim(s): To assess the prevalence of SARS-COV-2 antibodies in dental workers working in the Peshawar Dental College and Hospital, Peshawar. Study Design: Cross sectional study Place and Duration of Study: Department of Orthodontics, Peshawar Dental College & Hospital, Peshawar from 1st January 2020 to 31st December 2020. Methodology: One hundred and thirty three dental workers were enrolled. The investigation was run to detect immunoglobulin G and M antibodies against the SARS-CoV-2-2. The aspirated aerosol and air was evacuated and dissipated into the atmosphere. Result(s): Mean age was 29.4+/-1.4 years and males were dominant 74 (55.6%) and male workers found greater with positive antibodies. The prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies was 33.0%. Proportionately dental assistants (20.5% vs 16.9%) and ancillary staff (20.5% vs 10.1%) had higher prevalence. Sore throat and body aches were more common in positive antibodies cases while travel history was found significantly associated with it (40.9% vs 25.0%, p-value, 0.05). Conclusion(s): High frequency of SARS-COV-2 antibodies was found in dental workers showing a high infection rate of COVID-19 in healthcare workers in local settings. Copyright © 2022 Lahore Medical And Dental College. All rights reserved.