scholarly journals Uncertainties around COVID-19 from the perspectives of oral health care workers during the first wave of SARS-CoV-2 infections in British Columbia, Canada

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. e0249186
Author(s):  
Mario Brondani ◽  
Fernanda Almeida ◽  
Denise Cua ◽  
Tala Maragha ◽  
Kavita Mathu-Muju ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
British Columbia ◽  
Oral Health ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Oral Health Care ◽  
Qualitative Inquiry ◽  
Dental Hygienists ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Dental Assistants

Background The first wave of COVID-19 infections caused disturbances in all aspects of personal and professional lives. The aim of this study was to explore the ways in which that first wave of novel coronavirus infections resulted in uncertainties, as experienced by members of the oral health care workforce in British Columbia, Canada. Methods This qualitative inquiry purposefully recruited frontline oral health care workers, including dentists, dental hygienists, certified dental assistants, and administrative staff, via remote semi-structured interviews between April 20 and May 4, 2020. Coding, categories, and themes were inductively assigned. Results A total of 45 interviews, lasting between 39 and 74 minutes each, were conducted involving 18 dentists (6 females), 12 dental hygienists (11 females), 6 certified dental assistants (all females), and 9 administrators/front-desk staff (7 females). Fifty-one hours of audio recordings and more than 650 single-spaced pages of transcripts were produced. Five main themes emerged pertaining to uncertainties surrounding COVID-19, patient care, personal lives and infectiousness, concern for the future, and variations among different pandemics. Certitudes were less evident, but surfaced mostly when considering a potential new normal resulting from the pandemic. Conclusion Participants indicated that the uncertainties they felt were dependent upon what is known, and unknown, about the pandemic and the provision of oral health care during the first wave of infections. Future studies are needed to include the viewpoints of oral health care workers from other provinces, as well the perceptions of patients who received oral health care during the height of the first wave of the pandemic.

scholarly journals A preparedness model for the provision of oral health care during unfolding threats: the case of the covid-19 pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mario Brondani ◽  
Leeann Donnelly
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Oral Health ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Visual Presentation ◽  
Oral Health Care ◽  
Qualitative Inquiry ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Care Workers

Abstract Background The aim of this study was to appraise a recently developed preparedness model for the provision of oral health care during a threat such as the COVID-19 pandemic from the perspectives of oral health care providers, administrators/staff, and patients. Methods An exploratory qualitative inquiry via at-a-distance semi-structured interviews and group discussions engaged a purposefully selected sample of oral health care workers and patients in British Columbia (BC), Canada. Participants were asked to appraise a preparedness model by considering how to prepare for oral care during a pandemic, while answering open-ended questions about the model content and visual presentation. Interviews and group discussions occurred between April 2020 and January 2021, were audio recorded, and transcribed verbatim. An inductive coding process was used to identify themes, subthemes, and categories of information until saturation was achieved. Results Seventy-four participants, including 19 dentists, 15 dental hygienists, 10 certified dental assistants, 9 administrators, and 21 patients, suggested modifications to the recently developed preparedness model. Individual interviews (41 participants) and group discussions (33 participants in groups ranging from 2 to 9 attendees each) lasted for an average of 53 min. Eighty-four hours of audio recordings led to more than 1110 single-spaced pages of transcripts. The thematic analysis identified 82 codes, 12 categories, and four main themes: life-long learning, critical thinking, personal and professional risk, and patient-centred care. These themes were understood within provider characteristics and social and environmental contexts. Participants highlighted the need for the model to focus on information and communication, developing awareness and understanding, inferring risks, and performing oral health care during a threat such as a pandemic or disease outbreak. A modified portrayal of the model was suggested to better represent participants’ perspectives. Conclusion A recently developed preparedness model for the provision of dental care during an unfolding threat like the COVID-19 pandemic was appraised and modified by oral health care workers. Future studies are warranted to evaluate the modified model for use in the event of another unfolding threat collaboratively with providers, patients and stakeholders.

scholarly journals Prevalence and risk indicators of first-wave COVID-19 among oral health-care workers: A French epidemiological survey

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. e0246586
Author(s):  
Sébastien Jungo ◽  
Nathan Moreau ◽  
Marco E. Mazevet ◽  
Anne-Laure Ejeil ◽  
Martin Biosse Duplan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Oral Health ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Respiratory Infections ◽  
Oral Health Care ◽  
Risk Indicators ◽  
Clinical Phenotypes ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Dental Assistants

Background Previous studies have highlighted the increased risk of contracting the COVID-19 for health-care workers and suggest that oral health-care workers may carry the greatest risk. Considering the transmission route of the SARS-CoV-2 infection, a similar increased risk can be hypothesized for other respiratory infections. However, no study has specifically assessed the risk of contracting COVID-19 within the dental profession. Methods An online survey was conducted within a population of French dental professionals between April 1 and April 29, 2020. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to explore risk indicators associated with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 and COVID-19-related clinical phenotypes (i.e. phenotypes present in 15% or more of SARS-CoV-2-positive cases). Results 4172 dentists and 1868 dental assistants responded to the survey, representing approximately 10% of French oral health-care workers. The prevalence of laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 was 1.9% for dentists and 0.8% for dental assistants. Higher prevalence was found for COVID-19-related clinical phenotypes both in dentists (15.0%) and dental assistants (11.8%). Chronic kidney disease and obesity were associated with increased odds of laboratory-confirmed COVID-19, whereas working in a practice limited to endodontics was associated with decreased odds. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, use of public transportation and having a practice limited to periodontology were associated with increased odds of presenting a COVID-19-related clinical phenotype. Moreover, changes in work rhythm or clinical practice were associated with decreased odds of both outcomes. Conclusions Although oral health-care professionals were surprisingly not at higher risk of COVID-19 than the general population, specific risk indicators could exist, notably among high aerosol-generating dental subspecialties such as periodontology. Considering the similarities between COVID-19-related clinical phenotypes other viral respiratory infections, lessons can be learned from the COVID-19 pandemic regarding the usefulness of equipping and protecting oral health-care workers, notably during seasonal viral outbreaks, to limit infection spread. Impact Results from this study may provide important insights for relevant health authorities regarding the overall infection status of oral health-care workers in the current pandemic and draw attention to particular at-risk groups, as illustrated in the present study. Protecting oral health-care workers could be an interesting public health strategy to prevent the resurgence of COVID-19 and/or the emergence of new pandemics.

Oral health-care workers and HIV infection control practices in Nigeria

2005 ◽  
Vol 35 (3) ◽  
pp. 147-150 ◽  
Author(s):  
E O Ogunbodede ◽  
M O Folayan ◽  
M A Adedigba
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Oral Health ◽  
Infection Control ◽  
Hiv Infection ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Oral Health Care ◽  
Oral Manifestations ◽  
First Case ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Hiv Aids

The first case of HIV infection was reported in Nigeria in1986. Since then, the prevalence has risen from less than 0.1% in 1987 to 5.8% in 2002, and an estimated 3.6 million Nigerians now live with HIV/AIDS. More than 40 oral manifestations of HIV infection have been recorded and between 70% and 90% of persons with HIV infection will have at least one oral manifestation at sometime during the course of their disease. Oral health-care workers (OHCWS) are expected to play active roles in the prevention and control of HIV/AIDS. In this study, a one-day workshop was organized for 64 oral health workers in Ile-Ife, Nigeria, focusing on the epidemiology of HIV/AIDS, the oral manifestations, control and prevention of HIV in a dental environment, oral care of the infected patient and the ethical, legal and social aspects of HIV/AIDS. Participants' knowledge and practices of infection control were assessed with an infection control checklist administered pre- and post-workshop. Sixty (90.8%) respondents believed that HIV/AIDS was not yet a problem in Nigeria, and 58 (90.6%) believed that drugs have been developed which can cure HIV infection and AIDS. The men complied more with waste disposal regulations than women ( P=0.010). Twenty-nine of 58 (50.0%) did not discard gloves which were torn, cut or punctured. Seven (12.1%) did not change gloves between patients' treatment. Conscious efforts should be made to train OHCWS on all aspects of HIV/AIDS prevention and care. It must never be assumed that adequate information will be acquired through tangential sources.

scholarly journals Hand-Hygiene, Maintenance and Care in Dentistry, in the Age of Covid-19

2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Louis Z. G. Touyz ◽  
Sarah J. J. Touyz
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Oral Health ◽  
Hand Hygiene ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Oral Health Care ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Oral Environment ◽  
Optimal Function ◽  
Hand Coordination ◽  
Healthy Eyes

Dentists of necessity operate manually in the mouth. Hand hygiene is essential in the practice of modern dentistry. Eye-hand coordination demands intact healthy eyes and brain for optimal function. The oral environment can be the source of infections. This paper appraises hand hygiene, maintenance and care for practicing oral health care workers, and suggests techniques for minimizing contracting manual infections from dentistry.

scholarly journals Occupational health issues of oral health care workers in Edo State, Nigeria

2012 ◽  
Vol 62 (3) ◽  
pp. 117-121 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nosayaba Osazuwa-Peters ◽  
Clement C. Azodo ◽  
Ozoemene N. Obuekwe
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Oral Health ◽  
Occupational Health ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Oral Health Care ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Edo State

Access to Care and the Allied Oral Health Care Workforce in Kansas: Perceptions of Kansas Dental Hygienists and Scaling Dental Assistants

2006 ◽  
Vol 70 (3) ◽  
pp. 263-278 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tanya Villalpando Mitchell ◽  
Ralph Peters ◽  
Cynthia C. Gadbury-Amyot ◽  
Pamela R. Overman ◽  
Lauren Stover
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Oral Health ◽  
Access To Care ◽  
Oral Health Care ◽  
Dental Hygienists ◽  
Health Care Workforce ◽  
Dental Assistants

scholarly journals Comparison of perceptions, attitudes and performance regarding collaborative oral health care among health‐care workers

2020 ◽  
Vol 70 (6) ◽  
pp. 462-468
Author(s):  
Satoru Haresaku ◽  
Hisae Aoki ◽  
Keiko Kubota ◽  
Mayumi Monji ◽  
Maki Miyoshi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Oral Health ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Oral Health Care ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
And Performance

scholarly journals The Psychological Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Oral Health Care Workers and its Impact on Their Willingness to Work During this Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 57 (2) ◽  
pp. 179-188
Author(s):  
Farooq Ahmad Chaudhary ◽  
Basaruddin Ahmad ◽  
Madiha Gul ◽  
Aamir Rafiq ◽  
Danial Qasim Butt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Oral Health ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Psychological Impact ◽  
Oral Health Care ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Psychological Status ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Care Workers

This study was aimed to investigate the relationship between the psychological status of oral health care workers (OHCWs) and the willingness to treat a patient during the COVID-19 pandemic. This cross-sectional study was carried out on oral health care workers at ten different dental hospitals in Pakistan from March to July 2020. Information on the socio-demographic status, and willingness to report for duty and treat patients during the COVID-19 pandemic were assessed using a self-administered questionnaire. The psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic was assessed using the Urdu version of the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale and Impact of Events Scale. Simple and multiple linear regression tests were used for analysis. A total of 392 OHCWs participated in this study and 25% of them had moderate to severe anxiety levels and only 14% had post-traumatic stress disorder. About 26% of the OHCWs were willing to work and treat patients during the COVID-19 pandemic and they had lower anxiety and stress scores. Greater anxiety and stress were associated with participants who were older, female, single, married, living with family and friends. The adjusted coefficients of GAD and IES scores were greater in participants who were not willing and unsure to work compared to their colleagues who were willing. The OHCWs are anxious and stressed because of the COVID-19 outbreak and that affects the perception of whether they should work and treat patients during the pandemic.

scholarly journals An Impact of COVID-19 On Dental and Oral Health Care Workers: An Online Survey in Nepal

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Saroj Prasad Deo ◽  
Dharanidhar Baral
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Oral Health ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Financial Burden ◽  
Oral Health Care ◽  
Considerable Proportion ◽  
Psychological Burden ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background COVID-19 (COrona VIrus Disease-19) outbreak is an alarming situation for all health care workers. Dental and oral health care workers (DOCHWs) are invariably at a higher risk of getting infected or transmitting disease due to the nature and duration of work. The objective is to determine the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on Nepalese dental and oral health care workers and their practices. Methods A cross-sectional observational, online survey was designed and conducted via Google form from 24 June 2020 to 13 July 2020 among DOHCWs of Nepal. The study tool developed after reviewing pertinent literature and international guidelines. Results A total of 51.9% were aged 20 to 29 years, 61.7% were male, 52.6% were single; 92.5% had no morbidity. Of the respondents, majority 60.2% of DOCHWs were working in routine duties on the COVID-19 crisis. They reduced their current practice to before the pandemic; 48.2 % of them working less than 20 hours per week, while only 10.5 % of them working more than 40 hours per week. Moreover, 73.7% performed only selective or lesser procedure; 18% closed dental practices / stayed home; only 1.5% worked more; 6.8% shifted practice to online (teledentistry). The majority of the respondents restricted their activity to an emergency (21%) and urgent procedures (22.7%). A considerable proportion of participants reported symptoms of depression (21.9%), anxiety (24.2%), and distress (8.4%). Bivariate analysis showed a statistically significant level of satisfaction with logistic support provided by the administrative agency in the different workplace (oral health service centre) with relation to the availability of masks other than N95, N99 (p = 0.04), availability of PPEs (p = 0.06) and facility of cleaning area (p = 0.01). Conclusion The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic among DOHCWs is widespread and adversely affect the personal, professional and academic lives of DOHCWs of Nepal. The participants reported experiencing psychological burden, precipitated by financial burden and worries about an uncertain future.

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