Scale of self-efficacy in oral hygiene (OHSE): analysis of psychometric properties in Spain.

AIM: Oral self-efficacy has been shown to be an important variable in predicting successful treatment, preventing health risks and encouraging health-promoting behaviour. In the context of oral health, it is of paramount importance to facilitate the use of the Oral Hygiene Self-Efficacy Scale (OHSE) in clinical practice. The aim of this study was to analyze the psychometric properties of the OHSE scale in a sample of Spanish adults and offer standards for interpreting the scale. METHOD: A sample of 360 people aged from 18 to 75 years was assessed using the OHSE scale. The scale was culturally adapted and translated, reliability tests, construct validity, comparison of means by sex and age group were carried out, and scales for evaluating the responses were prepared. RESULTS: After eliminating six items, the reliability and validity analyses showed adequate psychometric properties. There were no differences between sex or age group. CONCLUSION: The OHSE scale for a Spanish adult population has sufficient empirical support to be considered a valid and useful instrument with solid psychometric properties and it offers an opportunity for oral health education intervention programs aimed at the adult population.

Lockdown impact on lifestyle and its association with oral parafunctional habits and bruxism in a Spanish adolescent population.

AIM: To analyse the possible association between decreased physical and social activity and an increase in the use of mobile devices, internet, and social networks with increased anxiety and the appearance of oral parafunctions and bruxism for adolescents before and during COVID-19. DESIGN: A total of 213 adolescents attended private clinics at two different times: before lockdown (T0) and after completion of total lockdown (T1). In T0 and T1, a clinical examination was carried out to assess dental wear (IA) and only in T1 were they given the self-report questionnaire which focuses on the periods before and during lockdown (self-reported bruxism, state anxiety, mobile phone and internet, social network use, physical and social activity, and questions on parafunctions). RESULTS: There were a decrease in physical activity at T0-T1 and an increase in social media use, internet, state anxiety, and clinical and self-reported bruxism at T0-T1. There was a positive correlation between increased self-reported bruxism, increased social media use, mobile device use, and state anxiety. CONCLUSIONS: There has been a change in adolescent lifestyle during lockdown with an increase in the prevalence of oral parafunctions and bruxism. In particular, the increase in the use of social networks at night and also in anxiety levels during lockdown were associated with of the increase in self-reported bruxism.

The impact of co-sleeping less than 6 months on children's anxiety, oral habits, and malocclusion in a Spanish sample between 2 and 5 years old: a cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVES: Families often use co-sleeping to mitigate potential physiological and emotional effects on infants. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the early termination of co-sleeping is associated with high levels of anxiety, non-nutritive sucking habits for self-comfort, and increased malocclusion. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed on the parents of 215 children [aged 2-5 years (3.94 ± 0.89)], who were divided according to the duration of co-sleeping (≤6 months or >6 months). The parents completed a questionnaire about co-sleeping, sucking, breastfeeding habits, and anxiety. Finally, a clinical examination was carried out to diagnose malocclusion according to the World Health Organization (WHO) index, and the aesthetic component of the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN-AC) was recorded. RESULTS: Children that co-slept for 6 months or less had an increased incidence of pacifier use (P < 0.05), finger sucking (P < 0.01), and atypical swallowing (P < 0.05). Lower anxiety levels were found in the group with a longer duration of co-sleeping (P < 0.01). In the assessment of malocclusions, the group that co-slept for ≤6 months had higher IOTN scores (P < 0.01) and WHO indices (P < 0.05); in addition, there were differences in anterior open bite (P < 0.05), posterior crossbite (P < 0.01), skeletal Class II (P < 0.01), canine Class II (P < 0.05), and overjet (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: A co-sleeping duration of >6 months appears to be a protective factor associated with less anxiety, fewer negative sucking habits, and a decreased incidence of malocclusions in co-sleeping children.

Anxiety and facial self-contacts: possible impact on COVID-19 transmission in dental practice.

BACKGROUND: The purpose was to analyse the associations between dental and trait anxiety, fear of COVID-19 and the duration and frequency of spontaneous hand-to-face contact (self-contact). METHODS: A cross-sectional design was carried out with 128 adult patients from four dental clinics in Madrid, during the confinement, from March 15 to May 15. The patients' movements in the waiting room were monitored with Microsoft Kinect Software, also completed the Trait anxiety subscale of the STAI, the COVID-19 Fear and the S-DAI questionnaire. RESULTS: Associations were observed between the duration and frequency of facial, mask and eye contact with trait anxiety and dental fear was determined only by the frequency of this self-contact. Trait anxiety is associated with dental anxiety and with fear of COVID-19. Although facial self-contact is higher in women, it also rises in men as dental fear increases. Moreover, dental anxiety is a good predictor of trait anxiety and the incidence of facial self-contact. CONCLUSIONS: Understanding the possible associations between biopsychosocial factors, such as trait anxiety, dental anxiety and self-contact is important. It may help to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the population as well as enabling the formulation of effective interventions to improve oral health care through the implementation of dental care programmes.

Oral hygiene habits and possible transmission of COVID-19 among cohabitants.

BACKGROUND: To find out whether misuse of dental hygiene, in terms of certain dental habits, may facilitate the spread of COVID-19 among cohabiting individuals. METHODS: 302 COVID-19 infected (PCR +) subjects cohabiting with someone else at home were selected for an observational cross-sectional study. An anonymous online questionnaire was developed using Google forms to avoid person-to-person contact. The structured questionnaire consisted of questions covering several areas: sociodemographic data, cross transmission to another person living together, oral hygiene habits during confinement, care and disinfection control behaviours in the dental environment like sharing toothbrush, sharing toothbrush container, sharing toothpaste, placing brush vertically, placing cap with hole for brush, disinfecting brush with bleach, closing toilet lid before flushing. RESULTS: Tongue brushing was more used in the group where there was no transmission of the disease to other members (p < 0.05). Significant differences were found for shared toothbrush use (p < 0.05), although shared use was a minority in this group (4. 7%), significant differences were also found for the use of the same container (p < 0.01), shared use of toothpaste (p < 0.01), toothbrush disinfection with bleach (p < 0.01), brush change after PCR + (p < 0.05). The women performed significantly more disinfection with toothbrush bleach (p < 0.01), closing the toilet lid (p < 0.05) and changing the brush after PCR + (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The use of inappropriate measures in the dental environment could contribute to the indirect transmission of COVID-19 between cohabitants.

Dental fear and expected effectiveness of destructive coping as predictors of children's uncooperative intentions in dental settings.

AIM: To explore the mechanisms by which some children select disruptive behaviours to cope with stressful dental events. In particular, the relationships between dental fear, expected effectiveness of destructive coping, and intentions of displaying uncooperative behaviours were analysed. DESIGN: Participants were 170 children who filled out a questionnaire survey. Descriptive statistics by gender and group age as well as comparisons of means were calculated. Spearman's rho correlation coefficients and binary logistic regression analysis were used to test hypotheses of the relationships among variables. RESULTS: Both dental fear and the expected effectiveness of destructive coping strategies were significantly associated with children's uncooperative intentions at the dentist. In addition, children who strongly endorsed the effectiveness of destructive coping strategies had a higher probability of uncooperative intentions as dental fear increased. In contrast, this relationship was not statistically significant among children who did not expect negative behaviours to be effective. CONCLUSIONS: Children's expectations about the effectiveness of destructive coping behaviours can help explain variations in the use of these strategies in stressful dental situations. Dental fear as well as children's inadequate expectancies about coping alternatives should be explored and targeted to prevent and modify uncooperative behaviour intentions at the dentist.

Reproductive Activity of Socorro Island Merino Ewes and Their Crosses with Pelibuey under Heat Stress Conditions.

An experiment was carried out to evaluate the effect of spring and autumn seasons on the reproductive activity of Merino Socorro Island ewes and their crosses with Pelibuey under heat stress (HS) conditions in the tropics. All ewes (n = 80) were randomly assigned to one of two breeds during the first and second periods, respectively: (1) Twenty Socorro Island Merino ewes (SIM) and (2) 20 Pelibuey Crossbred ewes (PBC). Animals were fed the same diet and given water ad libitum. All statistical analyses were performed using SAS statistical software 9.12 procedures. In both seasons, a mean of more than 80 U of maximum THI was obtained, while in spring and autumn, the minimum THI exceeded 30 and 40 U, respectively. All animals were in oestrus and ovulated in both seasons. The frequency of animals in spring during the first 48 h of oestrus expression was greater (p < 0.05) than 48-55 h but similar (p > 0.05) than 55-65 h; in autumn during the first 48 h and 48-55 h were similar (p > 0.05), but different (p < 0.05) than 55-65 h. The duration of oestrus expression was longer in the spring than in the autumn (p < 0.05). The frequency of animals was higher (p < 0.05) in SIM than in PBC ewes during the first oestrus cycle (1-17 d) and was also higher (p < 0.05) in PBC than in SIM ewes during the second oestrus cycle (18-35 d). The SIM ewes produced more (p < 0.05) progesterone (P4) than the PBC ewes. During the sampling days of the oestrus cycle, more P4 was created in autumn than in spring (p < 0.05). Both breeds showed severe HS. In the future, ewes treated under assisted reproductive programs in the tropics may improve reproductive efficiency.

Applying the Cognitive Vulnerability Model to the analysis of cognitive and family influences on children's dental fear.

Negative experiences, cognitions, and family variables are involved in the etiology of child dental fear, but previous research has frequently considered them separately. This study uses the Cognitive Vulnerability Model to explore the influence of negative dental experiences and family members on children's dental anxiety. The participants were 185 children who completed a questionnaire comprising measures of dental fear and cognitive vulnerability-related perceptions. Measures were obtained for 88 of the participants' fathers and for 97 of the participants' mothers. Cognitive vulnerability perceptions had the strongest association with children's dental fear (ß = 0.40), explaining 14-21% of the variance in dental fear scores beyond that explained by other variables. Furthermore, vulnerability perceptions mediated the relationship between negative dental experiences and dental fear. Children's dental fear and cognitive vulnerability perceptions were significantly associated with those of their fathers (r = 0.23 and r = 0.40, respectively) and mothers (r = 0.28 and r = 0.35, respectively). Moreover, fathers' (ß = 0.24) and mothers' (ß = 0.31) levels of cognitive vulnerability significantly predicted the children's levels of dental fear. The Cognitive Vulnerability Model offers a framework to understand child dental fear. Furthermore, this cognitive approach may help explain why some children develop dental fear problems after suffering a negative dental experience and how dental anxiety is passed on from parents to children.

The influence of gender on the relationship between dental anxiety and oral health-related emotional well-being.

BACKGROUND AND AIM. Children's dental fear and/or anxiety (DFA) has been associated with declines in oral health and quality of life. The influence of gender on the relationship between DFA and oral health-related well-being in children is analysed. DESIGN. The decayed, missing and filled permanent teeth (DMFT) index was obtained from 161 school-aged children (7-14 years old). Data from children's self-assessed oral health, oral health-related emotional well-being and dental anxiety were collected using questionnaires. RESULTS. Low scores of emotional well-being were associated with negative self-assessment of oral health and high levels of dental anxiety. Females reported decreased oral health-related emotional well-being compared with males. The analysis of possible moderating effects confirmed that gender influenced the relationship between oral health and DFA. The DMFT index was not associated with self-assessed oral health status, emotional well-being or DFA. CONCLUSION. For girls, high levels of DFA were associated with low levels of oral health-related emotional well-being. In contrast, dental fear and/or anxiety did not influence oral health-related emotional well-being in boys.

Eating Behaviours, Oral Hygiene, and Caries in a Population of Spanish Children with Divorced Parents: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Dental caries are a public health problem that is influenced by dietary habits. This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the feeding and hygiene habits that divorced parents exercise over their children compared to non-divorced parents, and how this may influence the rate of caries in their children. The data of participants (n = 174) with an average age of 12.17 ± 2.04 years were examined to assess the mean decayed/missing/filled teeth (DMFT) index, and they were asked questions about their oral hygiene habits. At the same time, their parents answered the parental feeding style questionnaire. A moderation analysis was conducted with family control of oral hygiene habit levels as an independent variable, decayed teeth as a dependent variable, and feeding control as a moderating variable. Results showed that divorced parents were found to have more problems in controlling their children's hygiene and dietary habits, have less control over their children's feeding, and make more use of instrumental feeding, which led to children of divorced parents having more caries. Despite the limitations linked to the cross-sectional design of the study and considering both the convenience sample and the impossibility of controlling for all aetiological factors linked to the development of caries, it can be concluded that children of divorced parents have an increased risk of tooth decay. However, parental controlled feeding interferes with the effect of family controlled oral hygiene habits on the decayed tooth, decreasing the rate of caries.

Treatment experience, frequency of dental visits, and children's dental fear: a cognitive approach.

Cognitive elements play a key role in dental anxiety. Nevertheless, relatively little is known about how dental treatments and frequency of visits to the dentist are related to dental fear and its cognitive antecedents. This study aimed to explore the relationships between dental visits, past treatment experiences, expectations on the aversiveness/probability of negative dental events, and dental fear in children. The participants were 147 children (60% female; mean age = 12.0 yr) who completed a questionnaire comprising measures of dental treatment-related experience (attendance, fillings, and extractions), perceived aversiveness and probability of dental events, and dental anxiety. Bivariate correlations and multiple linear regression analyses were used to analyze the data. A higher frequency of dental visits was associated with less dental fear and a decreased belief in the probability of negative events occurring during treatment. The type of treatments received was not directly linked to dental fear. However, having received fillings was significantly associated with the perceived probability of negative dental events, whereas extractions were positively associated with these expectations but negatively associated with the perceived aversiveness of possible dental events. Regular dental visits, as well as dental treatments, can influence, in different ways, cognitive elements associated with dental anxiety in children.

Assessing the relative efficacy of cognitive and non-cognitive factors as predictors of dental anxiety.

Although previous research has successfully tested the usefulness of cognitive and non-cognitive factors to predict dental anxiety, they have rarely been jointly analysed. This study therefore aimed to compare the relative predictive power of a set of cognitive and non-cognitive factors in accounting for dental anxiety scores. A sample of 167 Spanish undergraduate students (81.4% women; mean age 21.2 yr) completed a questionnaire comprising measures of dental anxiety, non-cognitive antecedents of dental anxiety (i.e. past aversive dental experiences, exposure to dentally fearful relatives, and trait-based negative mood), and cognitive variables (i.e. dental-related cognitive vulnerability, probability/aversiveness expectancies, and dental cognitions and beliefs). In multiple linear regression analyses, cognitions were found to significantly increase the proportion of variance accounted for in dental fear scores (ΔR(2) = 0.15, maximum ΔR(2) = 0.35). Cognitive factors were found to be the best individual predictors of dental fear (ß-values ranging from 0.23-0.66). Furthermore, scores for past aversive treatment experiences and negative mood were not significant predictors of scores for dental anxiety when cognitive variables were included in the models. The analysis of cognitive mechanisms involved in dental anxiety is revealed as a potentially important point in better understanding this problem.

Adaptation and psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the Index of Dental Anxiety and Fear (IDAF-4C+).

PURPOSE: The Index of Dental Anxiety and Fear (IDAF-4C+) constitutes a theory-grounded, reliable and valid instrument, which, due to its modular structure, allows different uses such as assessing dental anxiety levels, establishing preliminary dental phobia diagnoses and identifying feared stimuli. This study aimed to develop a Spanish version of the original IDAF-4C+ and evaluate its psychometric properties. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A sample of 231 Spanish undergraduate students (70.6% female; mean age 21.4 years) completed a questionnaire comprising the Spanish version of the IDAF-4C+ and other measures related to dental anxiety. The structure, reliability and validity of the adapted IDAF-4C+ were analysed. RESULTS: The adapted IDAF-4C fear module yielded a single-factor structure and demonstrated good internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha) and test-retest reliability. It shared a greater amount of variance with phobia diagnoses than the Modified Dental Anxiety Scale (MDAS) and a single-item measure of dental fear (SIDF). Moreover, the IDAF-4C was moderately to highly correlated with the MDAS and the SIDF measure, as well as with variables connected with dental anxiety such as negative dental thoughts, having had a negative dental experience and negative affect. The frequency of dental visits was also linked to IDAF-4C scores, and IDAF-stimulus items involving cognitive vulnerability, interpersonal and cost concerns were associated with dental attendance. CONCLUSION: The Spanish version of IDAF-4C+ presents similar psychometric properties to the original version which, considering the advantages of this instrument, qualifies the adapted one for its use in different research and applied contexts.

Co-Sleeping as a Protector against Malocclusion in the Primary Dentition: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Mothers practice co-sleeping and breastfeeding simultaneously, for convenience and to strengthen bonding. Due to the scarcity of studies analyzing the impact of co-sleeping on primary dentition, this study aimed to analyze the possible effects of co-sleeping on children's occlusion. In this cross-sectional study, mothers of 221 children aged 2−5 years who had been breastfed for less than 6 months completed a questionnaire about non-nutritive sucking habits. The WHO (World Health Organization) and IOTN-AC indices (the Aesthetic Component of the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need) were used to assess malocclusion. The type of sagittal (dental and skeletal), transverse and vertical malocclusion was recorded. The non-co-sleeping group showed significantly higher pacifier use (p < 0.05), digital sucking (p < 0.05) and atypical swallowing (p < 0.05) habits. The non-co-sleeping group showed significantly higher mean scores on the IOTN-AC (p < 0.05) and WHO (p < 0.01), a significantly higher presence of canine class II (p < 0.05), anterior open bite (p < 0.05), posterior crossbite (p < 0.05), overbite (p < 0.05), skeletal class II (p < 0.01) and protrusion (p < 0.05). In conclusion, children who practice co-sleeping appear to have a lower frequency and duration of non-nutritive sucking habits. Co-sleeping may contribute to a lower development of malocclusions in children who are weaned early (before six months of age).

The Influence of Parenting Styles on Eating Behavior and Caries in Their Children: A Cross-Sectional Study.

The type of parenting style influences the way children cope with problems and can create states of anxiety that can even alter their eating habits, which can cause problems in their oral health. The present study aimed to find out which parenting style is more favorable for the oral health of their children. In this cross-sectional study, 186 children (aged 8-15 years) were examined to assess the mean Decayed/Missing/Filled teeth (DMFT + dmft) index, and they were asked to complete the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, the Parenting Style Scale, and questions about their oral hygiene habits. On the other hand, their parents answered the Parental Feeding Style Questionnaire and the Children's Eating Behavior Questionnaire. Results showed that a worse oral health status was associated with a higher state of anxiety, more overeating, more emotional eating, and higher psychological control. A higher rate of missing teeth was associated with increased undereating and overeating. Emotional eating was positively related to psychological control. State of anxiety, overeating, and parental psychological control predicted 24.6% of DMFT + dmft. In addition, emotional eating had a moderating effect in DMFT + dfmt only in those with low levels of affection and communication. In conclusion, high psychological control and low levels of parental affection and communication will increase the state of anxiety in children, influencing their caries rate.

Evaluation of Dietary Habits, Type A Behavior Pattern and Its Relationship with Oral Health Status in Dental Undergraduate Students: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Oral health status among dental students has been widely studied, and while the repercussions of certain factors, such as personality type, adherence to healthy lifestyle habits and certain eating patterns, have been considered in the past, this study aims to study the combination of such factors and to carry out, in addition, clinical examinations that could provide deeper knowledge of real oral health status. A sample of 195 dental students was gathered and basic sociodemographic data (gender, age, nationality, hygiene habits, body mass index (BMI)) were collected, and type A personality scale (ERCTA), emotional eating (EE) and healthy lifestyle scale (EVS) values were registered. Descriptive analysis, Pearson correlations, a hierarchical linear regression model and moderation analysis were performed. Results showed that higher EE values were associated with a higher BMI, an increase in the decayed, missing, and filled teeth (DMFT) index, a higher number of carious and filled teeth, a higher ERCTA and a lower adherence to the EVS. Likewise, a higher DMFT was associated with a higher BMI, higher bleeding on probing index (BOP) values, higher ERCTA values and lower adherence to EVS. Dental floss disuse, BMI, EE and EVS predicted 25.3% of DMFT. In addition, a type A personality has a moderating effect only in those with medium and high EE levels.

The impact of vaccination upon dental clinic avoidance and the cessation of individual protection measures.

The aim of this study was to analyze the evolution of germ aversion, to perceived infectability and to the fear of COVID-19 from the beginning of the pandemic until the arrival of the vaccines. A repeated measures design was used with three time points during the pandemic. The survey consisted of: Scale of perceived vulnerability to disease; Scale of fear of COVID-19; They were asked if they were vaccinated and if that vaccination is complete. They were asked if they would avoid the dental clinic through fear of COVID-19; and if they have reduced preventive practice in response to COVID-19. A T0-T1 increase in perceived infectability and germ aversion was reported. However, fear of COVID-19 decreased at T1-T2. The vaccinated experienced a greater reduction than the unvaccinated and a greater relaxation of their preventive practice. The frequency of dental avoidance decreased in the vaccinated group from T1 to T2 by 68.3% while in the non-vaccinated this reduction was only 4.9%; X 2 = 18.58 (p < 0.01). In summary, vaccination has had an impact in the reduction of perceived infectability and in reducing fear of COVID-19. Nevertheless, germ aversion has remained stable and independent of vaccination. Empirical support is found for the affirmation that vaccination can reduce certain preventive behavior and dental avoidance.

Fear of COVID-19 in Madrid. Will patients avoid dental care?

INTRODUCTION: The objective of this research is to describe how perceived infectability, germ aversion, and fear of COVID-19 in adults in Madrid have changed from the beginning of the pandemic until the lockdown exit phase and their influence on dental care behaviour. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Some 961 participants were monitored in a study in Madrid at 2 time points: before lockdown (T0) and after completion of the total lockdown (T1). A questionnaire that included basic sociodemographic variables, the perceived vulnerability to disease scale (including perceived infectability and germ aversion), the fear of COVID-19 scale, and dental visiting behaviour after confinement for fear of COVID was administered. RESULTS: The participants had higher scores for infectability and germ aversion at T1 than at T0 (P < 0.01). Of those studied, 24.5% (235) of the participants would not go to the dentist for fear of COVID-19. Those who had a high perceived infectability scale score were at least 5 times more likely to not visit the dentist. Those with high COVID-19 fear were at least 6 times more likely to not visit the dentist, and those older than 60 years were 8 times more likely to not visit. CONCLUSIONS: The population's high levels of vulnerability to infectability and perceived germ aversion associated with fear of COVID-19 and the resultant avoidance behaviour to dental care will remain until an effective drug or vaccine for SARS-CoV2 is found.

Improvement of Ruminal Neutral Detergent Fiber Degradability by Obtaining and Using Exogenous Fibrolytic Enzymes from White-Rot Fungi.

The present review examines the factors and variables that should be considered to obtain, design, and evaluate EFEs that might enhance ruminal NDF degradability. Different combinations of words were introduced in Google Scholar, then scientific articles were examined and included if the reported factors and variables addressed the objective of this review. One-hundred-and-sixteen articles were included. The fungal strains and culture media used to grow white-rot fungi induced the production of specific isoforms of cellulases and xylanases; therefore, EFE products for ruminant feed applications should be obtained in cultures that include the high-fibrous forages used in the diets of those animals. Additionally, the temperature, pH, osmolarity conditions, and EFE synergisms and interactions with ruminal microbiota and endogenous fibrolytic enzymes should be considered. More consistent results have been observed in studies that correlate the cellulase-to-xylanase ratio with ruminant productive behavior. EFE protection (immobilization) allows researchers to obtain enzymatic products that may act under ruminal pH and temperature conditions. It is possible to generate multi-enzyme cocktails that act at different times, re-associate enzymes, and simulate natural protective structures such as cellulosomes. Some EFEs could consistently improve ruminal NDF degradability if we consider fungal cultures and ruminal environmental conditions variables, and include biotechnological tools that might be useful to design novel enzymatic products.

Facial Self-Touching and the Propagation of COVID-19: The Role of Gloves in the Dental Practice.

BACKGROUND: Despite facial self-touching being a possible source of transmission of SARS-Co-V-2 its role in dental practice has not been studied. Factors such as anxiety symptoms or threat perception of COVID-19 may increase the possibility of contagion. The objective was to compare the impact of control measures, such as gloves or signs in the reduction in facial self-touching. METHODS: An intra-subject design was undertaken with 150 adults. The patients' movements in the waiting room were monitored with Microsoft Kinect software on three occasions: without any control measures, using plastic gloves or using advisory signs against self-touching. Additionally, the participants completed the sub-scale of STAI (State-Anxiety) and the BIP-Q5 (Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire); their blood pressure and heart rate were recorded. RESULTS: The lowest incidence of facial self-touching occurred in the experimental situation in which gloves were introduced. The subjects with elevated anxiety symptoms realized more facial self-touching regardless of the control measures. However, the threat perception of COVID-19 is associated negatively with facial self-touching. CONCLUSIONS: The use of gloves is a useful control measure in the reduction in facial touching. However, people with anxiety symptoms regardless of whether they have greater threat perception for COVID-19 exhibit more facial touching.