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.

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.

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)

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