Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2021
DOI
10.3233/WOR-205319
Publication Title
Work: A Journal of Prevention, Assessment & Rehabilitation
Volume
68
Issue
4
Pages
993-1000
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has posed a substantial burden on dental care professionals. While dentistry is known as one of the most exposed and high-risk professions, dental care professionals are indeed at even greater risk.
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess knowledge, attitudes, occupational health practices, personal protective equipment usage, and mental stressors during COVID-19 pandemic among dental care professionals.
METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among dental care professionals who were subscribers to a dental hygiene journal using a self-administered online survey (n = 1047 respondents). Cross-tabulations were performed to determine differences in the responses to the statements related to different domains.
RESULTS: COVID-19 impacted the healthy work-life balance (p < 0.001) and caused sleeping difficulty among the respondents (p < 0.001). Moreover, a lower response on changing respirators and gloves for each patient compared with before viral pandemic was observed (p < 0.01).
CONCLUSIONS: Ongoing training on infection control, occupational health practices, and PPE usage can prevent the transmission of COVID-19 among dental care professionals and the public. Lack of adequate personal protective equipment (PPE) is a burden for applying occupational health practices in dental clinics and present a risk to the public. COVID-19 may contribute to developing psychological stress and disrupt healthy work-life balance among dental professionals.
Original Publication Citation
Banaee, S., Claiborne, D. M., & Akpinar-Elci, M. (2021). Occupational health practices among dental care professionals before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Work: A Journal of Prevention, Assessment & Rehabilitation, 68(4), 993-1000. https://doi.org/10.3233/WOR-205319
ORCID
0000-0003-4119-5767 (Banaee), 0000-0001-6324-9856 (Claiborne)
Repository Citation
Banaee, Sean; Claiborne, Denise M.; and Akpinar-Elci, Muge, "Occupational Health Practices Among Dental Care Professionals Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic" (2021). Community & Environmental Health Faculty Publications. 120.
https://digitalcommons.odu.edu/commhealth_fac_pubs/120
Included in
Community Health and Preventive Medicine Commons, Dental Hygiene Commons, Dental Public Health and Education Commons, Respiratory Tract Diseases Commons
Comments
Reprinted from WORK: A Journal of Prevention, Assessment & Rehabilitation, Volume 68, Occupational health practices among dental care professionals before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, pgs. 993-1000, Copyright 2021, with permission from IOS press.
The publication is available at IOS press through http://dx.doi.org/10.3233/WOR-205319.