Impact of COVID-19 on Life Experiences of Essential Workers Attending a Dental Testing Facility.

M Fontana,R Eber,E Yanca,G.J Eckert,L Mccauley,M Fitzgerald

doi:10.1177/2380084420962399

M Fontana, R Eber + Show 4 more

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https://doi.org/10.1177/2380084420962399

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Abstract

COVID-19 poses a threat to health and well-being.Objectives:1) To compare the impact of COVID-19 on the life experiences of essential workers attending a COVID-19 antibody testing clinic at a dental school. 2) To compare responses of dental, non–dental health care, and non–health care essential workers. 3) To assess acceptability/satisfaction of testing done in a dental setting.Method:A total of 984 participants completed a self-administered online questionnaire.Results:Over 90% were healthy (i.e., not in a high-risk health-related group for COVID-19), did not have COVID-19 symptoms within 30 d, and always/frequently engaged in preventive measures. Fifty-eight percent thought that they had a 0% to 25% chance of having immunity/antibodies to COVID-19. Non–dental health care workers thought that their chance was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than others. Over 70% were sometimes, frequently, or always worried about their friends and loved ones getting COVID-19 and of resulting financial problems. Dental workers were significantly less afraid than non–dental health care and non–health care providers. For all groups, more than half of the respondents stated that the pandemic had a negative (somewhat worse or worse) impact on daily life (59%), interactions with others (65%), stress levels (66%), and enjoyment of life (56%). There were significant differences among all 3 groups regarding the percentage of individuals with a negative impact on job security (dental, 47%; non–dental health care, 34%; non–health care, 31%). However, more than half of the respondents stated that the pandemic had a positive impact (same, somewhat better, or much better) on caring about one another, self-care, and exercise. Knowing the results of an antibody test would decrease the level of stress and anxiety in 67% of respondents. Over 80% found a COVID-19 test received in a dental setting acceptable, were “definitely” satisfied, and would “definitely” recommend it to a friend, family, or coworker.Conclusions:These findings support that dental workers are as vulnerable as other essential workers to threats and psychological impacts of COVID-19. They also support the acceptability and satisfaction of testing for a pandemic done in a dental setting.Knowledge Transfer Statement:The results of this study highlight the impact that pandemics such as COVID-19 can have on life experiences of essential workers, including dentists. It also highlights a role that dentistry can play within the broader health care system, during and beyond the current pandemic, to help with surveillance efforts of community health. Testing may also help alleviate stress and anxiety associated with these pandemics.

Highlights

IntroductionPrevention [CDC] 2020a), is caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which belongs to the Coronaviridae, a family of viruses that possess a positive-sense single-stranded RNA genome (Tu et al 2020)
The 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), first identified in Wuhan, China (Centers for Disease Control and Vol 6 Issue 1Threat of COVID-19 on Essential WorkersPrevention [CDC] 2020a), is caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which belongs to the Coronaviridae, a family of viruses that possess a positive-sense single-stranded RNA genome (Tu et al 2020)
These findings support that dental workers are as vulnerable as other essential workers to threats and psychological impacts of COVID19

Summary

Introduction

Prevention [CDC] 2020a), is caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which belongs to the Coronaviridae, a family of viruses that possess a positive-sense single-stranded RNA genome (Tu et al 2020). SARS-CoV-2 is thought to spread mainly from person to person through respiratory droplets. The most frequent symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, chills, cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, and muscle aches Some patients have sore throat, rhinorrhea, and headache a few days before fever onset. SARS-CoV-2 can affect intestinal tissues, resulting in gastrointestinal symptoms (e.g., nausea, vomiting, diarrhea; Tu et al 2020). Hypogeusia and hyposmia have been reported as common neurologic manifestations (Mao et al 2020)

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