scholarly journals Fear Factor in Seeking Dental Care among Saudis during COVID-19 Pandemic

Author(s):  
Maria Salem Ibrahim ◽  
Hala Alibrahim ◽  
Abdullah Al Madani ◽  
Abdulaziz Alamri ◽  
Mohamed Bamashmous ◽  
...  

The recent coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic led to major lifestyle changes. The present study sought to assess factors associated with fear to seek dental care during COVID-19 pandemic in Saudi Arabia. This cross-sectional study was conducted during the COVID-19 outbreak in 2020. An online questionnaire was filled by a convenient sample of adult Saudi residents through mobile instant messaging application. The following measures were collected: sociodemographic characteristics, fear of COVID-19 using validated Fears of Illness and Virus Evaluation scale, fear to seek dental care, perceived health status, and COVID-19 experience. There were 826 participants involved in this study (541 females and 285 males, mean age: 38.8 ± 13.29 years). Fear to seek dental care was significantly higher among females, younger age groups, people who perceived poor general and oral health, and people who perceived high risk of contracting the virus in dental clinics. After controlling for confounders, fear to seek dental care was significantly higher among the age group of 35–44 years, those who perceived high and moderate risk of COVID-19 infection in dental clinics, and among participants who reported untreated dental conditions. Fear that Others Get Sick, Fear of the Impact on Social Life, and Behaviors Related to Illness and Virus Fears were significantly associated with high levels of fear to seek dental care. Within the study’s limitations, fear of COVID-19 negatively impacted the study population’s willingness to seek dental treatment. Factors such as age, perceived risk of COVID-19 infection in dental clinics, and untreated dental conditions were associated with fear to seek dental care.

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 2365
Author(s):  
Sorinel Căpușneanu ◽  
Dorel Mateș ◽  
Mirela Cătălina Tűrkeș ◽  
Cristian-Marian Barbu ◽  
Adela-Ioana Staraș ◽  
...  

The digital transformation has produced changes in all existing areas of activity worldwide. There are many factors that can influence the intention to use Industry 4.0 processes and solutions and change the behavior of organizations and their business models. The aim of this study is to validate the econometric model on assessing the significant impact of distinct factors on the intention to use Industry 4.0 processes and solutions, the benefits of digital transformation perceived by organizational management and the differences between distinct groups analyzed. The research method used within the quantitative study was the sample survey, using the online questionnaire as a data collection tool. Three hundred forty-seven valid questionnaires were collected and the response rate of the respondents was 64.25%. A new structural model was generated based on the elements of the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT). The results of the study indicated that Perceived competitiveness and Perceived risk have a significant impact on Intention to Use Industry 4.0 processes while Perceived vertical networking solutions and Perceived integrated engineering solutions have a significant influence on the Intention to Use Industry 4.0 solutions. In conclusion, there is a positive and significant association between Intention to Use Industry 4.0 solutions and Benefits of Digital Transformation.


Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 1197
Author(s):  
Luana Izzo ◽  
Antonio Santonastaso ◽  
Gaetano Cotticelli ◽  
Alessandro Federico ◽  
Severina Pacifico ◽  
...  

The World Health Organization has declared the coronavirus outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern; the outbreak has led to lockdowns in several parts of the world, and sudden changes in people’s lifestyles. This study explores the impact of the first coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic period on dietary habits, lifestyle changes, and adherence to the Mediterranean diet among the Italian population, through an online questionnaire, conducted from April to May 2020, involving 1519 participants. The 14-point Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener (MEDAS) highlighted a medium Mediterranean diet adherence in 73.5% of responders, which principally included the younger population, aged 18–30 years (p < 0.05). In regards to changes in eating habits, 33.5% of responders declared an influence of the pandemic period on nutritional practice. A decrease in alcohol consumption was reported by 81% of responders, while an increase in frozen food consumption was reported by 81.3% of responders. In addition, 58.8% reported positive weight modification (40.8%, +1–3 kg); physical activity reduction was reported for 70.5% of responders. Our study contributes toward amplifying the investigation on the dietary habits and changes of the Italian population during the COVID-19 lockdown, although the pandemic is ongoing. Similar studies should be performed around the world to understand how the emergency has impacted people’s habits.


Author(s):  
Maximiliane Amelie Schlenz ◽  
Alexander Schmidt ◽  
Bernd Wöstmann ◽  
Andreas May ◽  
Hans-Peter Howaldt ◽  
...  

Dental care has been affected by SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) worldwide. In contrast to other dental clinics, the Justus-Liebig-University Giessen (Germany) decided not to limit dental treatment to emergencies alone, but to continue dental care for all patients, with increased safety measures. As such, health care professionals may be exposed to additional physical and mental stress. The aim of this study was to assess the perspectives of all persons involved in dental care (dentists, dental assistants, students, and patients) regarding the aspects of safety measures, anxiety about self-infection and infecting others, and other prospects in the period March to December 2020 using a questionnaire. Data collection was performed between 14 December 2020 and 23 January 2021. A total of 35 dentists (response rate of 79.5%), 23 dental assistants (65.7%), 84 students (80%), and 51 patients (21.8%) completed the survey. The patients did not notice any changes in the care received. Dentists and dental assistants reported a higher workload due to additional safety measures. The majority of dentists, students, and patients agreed that normal patient care was maintained. One-third of dental assistants would have preferred emergency treatment alone and expressed significantly higher anxiety about COVID-19 infection than all other groups (p < 0.05). In conclusion, all groups showed a predominantly positive perspective on dental care, and anxiety about self-infection and infecting others was especially low. However, additional measures are time-consuming and compound daily patient care. This concept, based on well-established infection control, might be a viable proposal for current and future pandemics.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (46) ◽  
pp. 15-22
Author(s):  
Ana de Lourdes Sá de Lira ◽  
Francisca Janiele de Sousa

This study aimed to review, qualify and summarize the existing evidence on associations and risk factors for Covid-19 during dental treatment and dentists’ knowledge about these risks. After being registered with PROSPERO, the systematic review was carried out in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines, with searches in electronic databases, in specific journals, manual searches and Google Scholar, without language restrictions, from December 2019 to August 2020. Two questions were asked to be investigated: did patients seek dental care in the emergency room and do dentists know the symptoms and the mode of transmission of Covid-19, feeling qualified to attend them? Only 6 articles were included because they met all defined inclusion criteria. It was concluded that endodontic urgencies and emergencies with symptomatic irreversible pulpitis are the most common, consisting of a much higher proportion of dental emergencies during Covid-19 epidemic compared with dental trauma and no-urgent care. Although dentists are aware of the symptoms, mode of transmission, infection controls, and measures in dental clinics, they do not feel confident about the correct measures to be taken to prevent Covid-19 for their staff and patients.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Greta Castellini ◽  
Lorenzo Palamenghi ◽  
Mariarosaria Savarese ◽  
Serena Barello ◽  
Salvatore Leone ◽  
...  

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 emergency on patients with IBD's psychological distress, understanding the role of patient engagement as a mediator.Methods: An online questionnaire was created, measuring perceived risk susceptibility toward COVID-19, perceived stress, and patient engagement. The questionnaire was distributed to a purposive sample of IBD patients who belonged to the Italian Association for patients with IBD (AMICI Onlus) in April 2020. Structural equation models were implemented.Results: The effect of the perceived risk susceptibility toward COVID-19 contagion on the perceived stress is fully mediated by patient engagement (β = 0.306, p &lt; 0.001). Moreover, the patient engagement mitigates the perceived stress (β = −0.748, p &lt; 0.001) in our sample of IBD patients, and it is negatively influenced by the perceived risk susceptibility toward COVID-19 (β = −0.410, p &lt; 0.001).Conclusion: Patient engagement is the key factor that explains how the perceived risk susceptibility toward COVID-19 affects the perceived psychological distress in patients with IBD, underlining that the perceived risk of contagion increases their perceived level of stress through a decrease of patient engagement.


Author(s):  
Nesa Aurlene ◽  
R Sindhu ◽  
A Haripriya

Introduction: India has become the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) epicentre with the highest number of COVID-19 cases being reported each day. This has caused a major impact on healthcare workers including dentists across the country. Most dental clinics in Tamil Nadu were closed during the initial two months of draconian lockdown enforced by the Government of India (GOI). As partial lockdown measures were introduced over the subsequent months, dental clinics have started functioning and receiving patients for emergency dental treatment. Aim: This study was done among dentists practicing in Tamil Nadu amidst the COVID-19 pandemic to understand how the pandemic has impacted their professional and personal lives. Materials and Methods: A qualitative study using online focus group discussion was conducted among 32 dentists practicing in Tamil Nadu, India using a structured interview guide in the month of July 2020. After data collection, the focus group discussions were transcribed manually and an inductive thematic analysis was performed using Braun and Clarke’s six phases for thematic analysis. Results: Three major themes were identified after the thematic analysis namely limitations of off-campus distance learning, challenges faced in dental practice during the COVID-19 pandemic and social life impacts of COVID-19 among dentists. Conclusion: Dentists in this study felt that the COVID-19 pandemic was negatively impacting their dental practices owing to lack of clarity in COVID-19 protocols, lack of patient awareness, high cost of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), increasing overhead expenses, ergonomic difficulties in treating patients while wearing PPE, patients’ unwillingness to pay higher charges for treatment under COVID-19 protocols and fear of contracting COVID-19. Majority of participants in this study did not report any negative impacts of social isolation as many of them had stayed with their families during the lockdown.


Author(s):  
Carla Moleiro ◽  
Nuno Pinto

<p><br />This paper presents research on the enforcement and impact of the first legal gender recognition legislation in Portugal (Law no.7/2011). The study describes how the administrative process created by the law functioned during its initial 5-year period, and identifies challenges and processes of resistance to this legal innovation. Simultaneously, it seeks to assess the impact of the law on the social and psychological well-being of trans people, including in their access to vital spheres of social life such as education and employment. The research employs a mixed-methods approach and a multi-informant methodology: an online questionnaire was completed by 68 trans and non-binary people, and semi-structured in-depth interviews were carried out with various selected stakeholders: representatives of trans and LGBTIQ+ organisations (n=5), health professionals identified as experts in the topic and as gatekeepers in legal gender recognition processes (n=12), and trans people (n=6). Results show, on the one hand, the significant positive impact that legal gender recognition has on the psychological well-being and social welfare of the participants. On the other hand, results also show several challenges and forms of resistance to the implementation of the law, in particular those challenges resulting from the fact that legal gender recognition depended on a clinical diagnosis and the provision of a clinical report.</p>


2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (S 01) ◽  
pp. S14-S19 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melissa Faccini ◽  
Fernanda Ferruzzi ◽  
Aline Akemi Mori ◽  
Gabriela Cristina Santin ◽  
Renata Cristina Oliveira ◽  
...  

Abstract Objective This survey aimed to assess the effects of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on elective and urgency/emergency dental care and dentists concerned. Materials and Methods A web-based survey was performed using Google forms questionnaire sent to dentists in Brazil. Questions included: personal information, type of dental care provided during quarantine, if emergencies increased, the dental office biosafety routine, among others. The levels of concern about the impact of quarantine on dental care and patient oral health conditions and the economic impact on dental practices were evaluated using a 0- to 10-point scale. Statistical analysis included descriptive, percentages, one-way ANOVA, Tukey, and chi-square tests. Results During quarantine, 64.6% of the dentists attended only urgency/emergency treatments, while 26.1% maintained routine appointments, and 9.3% closed the dental offices. A higher percentage of dentists from the least affected states continued routine dental treatment; dentists were younger and presented a significantly lower level of concern about dental treatments and oral health conditions of their patients. An increase in urgency/emergency procedures was reported by 44.1% of the dentists, mostly due to the unavailability of routine/elective dental care and increased patient anxiety and stress. The main causes of urgency/emergency appointments were toothache, dental trauma, and broken restorations, besides the breakage of orthodontic appliances and temporomandibular disorders. Dentists reported a high level of concern about the economic impact caused by quarantine. Conclusions The pandemic/quarantine has negatively affected the clinical routine. Personal protection/hygiene care must be adopted and reinforced by dental professionals/staff to make dental procedures safer.


Author(s):  
V.S SERIKOV ◽  

Currently, the number of private dental clinics is growing. However, there is also mandatory medical insurance for free dental care. The purpose of this study is to study the costs of health insurance in comparison of income and expenses of dental practice by type of treatment. The study examined all medical expenses for dental care, purchase of dental materials, depending on the type of dental treatment. The economic significance of expenses and revenues for dental materials was calculated depending on the type of treatment, as well as the optimal amount of remuneration for employees. In our study, regular dental examinations are covered by insurance, since patients who visit dental clinics for regular dental examinations carry out preventive measures at the expense of mandatory medical insurance. In the course of the study, we calculated the economic significance of preventive measures and the cost-effectiveness of dental care. Thus, early diagnostics of dental pathology and high-quality provision of dental services at the early stages under the mandatory medical insurance policy are effective for improving the entire management balance of dental clinics.


Author(s):  
Sreesupria P. R. ◽  
Mekhala K. P. ◽  
Kishore Kumar K. ◽  
Aarthi M. ◽  
Gautam M.

Background: Following the COVID-19 outbreak, Indian Government has imposed lock-down to contain its spread. This has resulted in psychological distress in people. College students, known to have an active social life, are also vulnerable to this.  Objectives were to assess the prevalence and severity of core symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress in college students across India during the Lock-down; to estimate the impact of lock-down on time spent on their routine activities, domestic violence, eating habits and sleep pattern; to analyze the impact of various factors and the mental health status.Methods: A semi-structured questionnaire also containing the 21 items of depression anxiety and stress scale 21 (DASS21) was circulated through social media. College students from different states across India participated. Study period was from April 2020 to May 2020. The responses collected were analyzed using chi squared test and logistic regression.  Results: Total 53.1%, 37.2% and 24.3% had symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress respectively, with varying severities (N=727). Significant associations of the negative emotional states with decreased time spent with their family and friends and its effects; increased incidence of domestic violence; increased sleep duration; disturbed sleep; financial crisis, etc. were found (p value<0.05).Conclusions: COVID-19 is building psychological distress among vulnerable college students, as they are forced to stay home, along with worsening financial situations, lifestyle changes, family situations and time spent on various activities. Psychological interventions are recommended.


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