The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on quality of life in orthodontists: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

ABSTRACT Introduction Quality of life (QoL) for health professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic, including orthodontists, is of paramount concern. Social distancing and new professional and personal recommendations could be complex factors influencing QoL. Objective This study analysed the sociodemographic factors that influenced the QoL(QoL) of orthodontists [Blinded for review] during the COVID-19 pandemic (August 2020). Methods A total of 440 orthodontists were recruited by snowball sampling on social media using an electronic survey. Quantitative analyses included a sociodemographic questionnaire, and the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire was used as the main outcome for QoL. Descriptive statistical analyses and qualitative variables were calculated in frequencies, and quantitative data were described. QoL was analysed using Student’s t-test or analysis of variance (ANOVA). For multiple comparisons, the Bonferroni correction was used. Results Of the respondents, 69.3% were female, 44.5% were aged between 36–45 years, and 62% were orthodontic specialists. Of the respondents, 45.4% had 11–20 years of experience and 68% had an owned single practice. All scores were fully completed for the four domains of the WHOQOL-BREF. Women showed a greater QoL in the physical health domain (p = 0.001) and lower QoL in the environmental health domain (p = 0.047). Orthodontists with a Ph.D. had greater QoL scores for the social relationship (p = 0.016) and environmental (p = 0.040) domains. Orthodontists with up to 10 years of experience had lower scores for social relationships, environmental health, and overall QoL (p < 0.05). Conclusion Orthodontists’ QOL was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.