Psychological Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Healthcare Workers in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: Perceived Stress Scale Measures.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has been stressful and of considerable concern among health care workers (HCWs). Being particularly at increased risk for exposure, HCWs worry about becoming infected as well as infecting co-workers, patients and family members. Such distress and panic may have destructive effects on individuals and may last long after the pandemic situation leading to depression or post-traumatic stress disorder. Therefore, the aim of the current study is to measure and investigate the prevalence of the factors affecting psychological stress during the COVID-19 pandemic among HCWs. METHODS: A self-administered online survey-including perceived stress scale (PSS) questions-was disseminated among HCWs in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (SA) between1st June and 30th July 2020. RESULTS: A total of 469 HCWs responded to the survey for a high response rate (93.8%). The PSS revealed that 15.8% of the respondents were suffering from high stress levels, 77.2% were suffering from moderate stress levels and 7% with low stress levels. Females and junior frontline staff reported more severe stress levels. Participation on the pandemic team shows significant impact on stress levels. CONCLUSION: COVID-19 pandemic has increased stress levels among HCWs and affects their psychological wellbeing. Designing programs promoting HCWs mental health are crucial and emotional and psychological support strategies should be part of every public health crisis management plan.

Decision making process by senior residents of Saudi Board in restorative dentistry for nonsurgical endodontic retreatment: A retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Despite the general guidelines for retreatment, differences in decision making exist for secondary endodontic treatment and may be related to many factors including education, clinical experience, dentist specialty, patient preferences and economic resources. Aim of the study was to evaluate the decision making of the Saudi Board in Restorative Dentistry (SBRD) senior residents in the endodontic retreatment of molar teeth as per the scientific guidelines of the American Association of Endodontists (AAE) and also to identify the causes of retreatment and measure how far they become deviated from their taught retreatment principles and inter-individual variability. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Case histories have been obtained from the files of cases treated in the SBRD Resident Comprehensive Case Archives in the SCHS from 2003 to 2015 in Riyadh region. The cases were only confined to Complex I and Complex II cases according to RDITN (Restorative Dental Index of Treatment Need), and seen by R3 and R4 residents only. Residents' diagnosis was recorded as well as their treatment plan and any given notes regarding their decisions to retreat. Differences between the two groups (R3 and R4) residents and within the same group, regarding endodontic retreatment decisions and reasons for their treatment options were analyzed using Chi-Square test and Fisher's Exact test. RESULTS: The majority of residents in both R4 and R3 groups followed the recommended guidelines. R3 residents preferred to retreat all cases while R4 chose 'no to retreat' in few cases. Although R4 residents preferred nonsurgical retreatment more than R3 residents, the difference was insignificant. R4 residents preferred 'no therapy' or 'follow up' more frequent than R3 residents. Members of the R3 residents agreed more or less with each other as did those of the R4 residents without significant inter-individual variations within each group regarding the choice of retreatment). CONCLUSIONS: R4 residents appeared more likely, although not significant, to choose no retreatment or follow up than R3 residents. Conventional nonsurgical retreatment had the highest selection by both R3 and R4 residents. No significant inter-individual variations within each group regarding the choice of retreatment. There is a need to establish evidence based guidelines for more uniform management of failed root treated teeth.