Dental Health Care Workers Research Articles

The Utility Of Pre-Procedural COVID-PCR Testing For Dental Aerosol Generating Procedures Is Questionable.

To compare the number of aerosol-generating procedures performed and the number of coronavirus disease-2019-positive workers in dental practice. The audit study was conducted in May 2021 at the Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, and comprised data from April 1, 2020, to March 31, 2021, which was retrieved from dental clinics at the main hospital and its Clifton branch as well as in three secondary care hospitals in Garden, Kharadar, Karimabad areas of Karachi, and one in Hyderabad, Pakistan. Data of individuals who followed mandatory pre 20 procedural polymerase chain reaction testing in addition to using personal protective equipment in the main hospital and Clifton branch was placed in group A, and of those using personal protective equipment only at the 4 satellite clinics with no testing was placed in group B. Dental charts of patients who underwent dental aerosol-generating procedures were analysed. Number of dental clinics affected by coronavirus disease 25 2019 and number of dental patients who were reported positive on pre-procedural polymerase chain reaction testing were evaluated. Data was analysed using SPSS 23. Of the 63 dental healthcare workers, 44(69.8%) were in group A and 19(30.2%) were in group B. In group A, 19(43.2%) were affected by coronavirus disease-2019 compared to 2(11%) in group B (p=0.01). Among 782(67.8%) patients who underwent polymerase chain reaction testing, 26(3.3%) turned out positive for coronavirus disease-2019. Due to the mandatory testing imposed on patients, 371/1153(32.2%) refused to get the desired dental treatment. The benefit of pre-procedural testing in dentistry remained uncertain.

Knowledge and Attitude of Dental Professionals, Students and Dental Auxiliary Staff Towards Needle Stick Injury and Sharp Injuries

OBJECTIVE: The present study aims to evaluate the knowledge and attitude of dental professionals, students and auxiliary towards needle stick and sharp injury. METHODOLOGY: A cross-sectional questionnaire-based survey was carried out among 200 dental practitioners, students, and auxiliary staff using OpenEpi calculator. Final data were analyzed using SPSS version 23.0. RESULT: The result revealed that 97% of the participants had an understanding of NSI and the risks associated with it and about 87.5% participants were found to be vaccinated against Hepatitis B. In addition to that, 72% of dental healthcare workers especially the auxiliary staff (96.3%) had experienced needle stick injury and 97% of the subjects were found to have a habit of recapping the needle after use. CONCLUSION: The knowledge of dental practitioners especially the auxiliary staff concerning needle stick injury was found to be inadequate. More awareness should be raised regarding NSIs for the dental healthcare workers and practicing of universal guidelines must be emphasized greatly. KEYWORDS: Needle stick injury and sharp injuries

Swedish dental health care workers’ sense of safety and satisfaction with the information they received during the COVID-19 pandemic

Objective The aim was to explore what affected dental health care workers’ sense of safety while working during the COVID-19 pandemic and examine their satisfaction with the information they received on COVID-19 and pandemic protocols. Material and method An invitation to participate in the survey was distributed to 2,990 dental health care workers in Sweden. Open-ended questions were analyzed using the Theoretical Domains Framework, closed-ended questions with Pearson’s chi-squared test. Results The response rate was 41.7%. Of the respondents, 78.7% were ‘very satisfied’ or ‘fairly satisfied’ with the information they received. Conflicting messages were reported as a problem, especially regarding how highly prioritized the pandemic protocols were. ‘Fairly safe’ or ‘very safe’ were the responses chosen by 70.9%, while 54.2% recounted situations that made them feel unsafe. The sense of safety was mainly related to one’s own knowledge, self-perceived skills, and support in the workplace. The feeling of not being safe was foremost related to resources: primarily PPE shortages and time-related shortages. Respondents who reported being asked to forego surgical face masks and/or economize with gloves/hand rub because of shortages were more likely to have felt unsafe (p = .001). Conclusions Most were satisfied with the information they had received, and most felt safe during the pandemic, but several respondents reported situations where they felt pressured to make compromises with their infection control. Future pandemic protocols should have ethics clearly incorporated regarding situations when there is a shortage of resources and include better planning for the provision of supplies for infection control.

Anxiety and Depression in Dental Health Care Workers

Anxiety and Depression in Dental Health Care Workers

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of Dental Healthcare Workers toward Hepatitis B Virus in Khartoum/Sudan.

The aim of the present study is to evaluate dental healthcare workers' knowledge, attitudes, and practices toward hepatitis B infection. This study was a cross-sectional self-administered, structured questionnaire survey that was conducted in Khartoum/Sudan. The questionnaire was completed by 177 dental healthcare providers who practice in public dental clinics in Khartoum state. The completion rate was 100%. The study participants showed relatively acceptable knowledge of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. The majority (98.3%) were familiar with hepatitis B infection. About 93% answered correctly that blood, blood products, and needles/sharps are the route of transmission of HBV. About 65.5% completed HBV vaccination. About 59.3% had a history of needle sticks and only 16% reported their injury. Dentists and nurses almost had the same knowledge, but dentists were slightly having better knowledge in some aspects. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20 was used. Chi-square test was used to determine the relationship between categorical variables. Most of the study participants were aware of HBV infection, routes of transmission, prevention, and necessity of vaccination, but they are deficient in some areas, like needle-stick injury protocol and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP). The study revealed a low level of HBV vaccination coverage rate. Further strategies for preventing workplace exposure, training programs on HBV infection, including PEP, and increasing the vaccination coverage rate of all healthcare workers are highly recommended. Dental healthcare workers are at high risk of acquiring hepatitis B infection. The majority of exposure in dentistry is preventable. Understanding the knowledge and awareness of dental health toward hepatitis B is crucial to design and apply preventive measures to control transmission and potential complications.

Adverse Effects of Sinopharm COVID-19 Vaccine among Vaccinated Medical Students and Health Care Workers.

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) disease caused a highly problematic situation worldwide. Various vaccines were launched to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aims to investigate the adverse effects of first and second doses of the Sinopharm vaccine among vaccinated medical and dental students and healthcare workers. A well-established questionnaire was distributed online, and 414 medical and dental students and healthcare workers (HCW) comprising 355 females (85.7%) and 59 males (14.3%) participated; all were vaccinated with two doses of Sinopharm. The most common side effect was pain at the injection site after dose one in 253 respondents (61.3%) and after dose two in 161 respondents (38.9%). Other symptoms included general lethargy in 168 (40.6%), myalgia/body pain in 99 (23.9%), low-grade fever in 93 (22.4%), and headache in 87 (21%) respondents. Common side effects reported after the second dose of the vaccine following pain at the injection site included general lethargy in 21.3% (88), headache in 10.4% (43), myalgia/body pain in 9.9% (41), and low-grade fever in 6.1% (25) of the respondents. In conclusion, common adverse effects of the Sinopharm vaccine were pain at the injection site, general lethargy, myalgia, body pain, low-grade fever, and headache. These adverse effects were mild in intensity for both doses but slightly more frequent and severe for the first dose than the second dose.

Psychological impact of COVID-19 on health-care workers in Southern India

Background: The study aims to uncover some of the relevant concerns, with a specific emphasis on psychological and mental status evaluation, as well as a few suggested coping mechanisms. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional, observational study conducted on medical, dental, and nursing from all over India. The questionnaire, which consisted of 19 questions, was designed to determine the health-care professionals' awareness of the WHO guidelines. Collected data were computed with SPSS version 25 and analyzed using descriptive statistics, independent t-test and Chi-square test, Pearson correlation, and one-way ANOVA. Results: Medical (4.23 ± 0.645) health-care personnel have higher mean stress levels than nursing (3.16 ± 0.458) and dental (2.2 ± 0.953) health-care workers (HCWs) (P = 0.0001). In terms of work experience, 6–10 years (3.35 ± 1.13) have higher stress levels than 1–5 years and >10 years (P = 0.005). Conclusion: This study uncovered a high pervasiveness of discerning stress among HCWs during the COVID-19 pandemic, which afflicted all workers despite the demographic status.

Impact of Covid-19 Pandemic On Psychological Behavior of Dental Health Care Workers in Peshawar

During the hard time of Covid, front line health care workers were directly involved in one way or the other to treat the patients or perform duties in Covid-wards. They were at great risk of catching the infection as well as be affected by the psychological disorders. Objective: To determine the effects of Covid pandemic on the psychological health of dental health care professionals in Peshawar. Methods: A total of 384 participants both Dentists and Dental paramedical staff and technicians were included in the study. The participants were classified as non-infected and Covid recovered participants. Two validated questionnaires (PHQ-9 scale, Scale for COVID-19 related psychological distress in healthy Dental health care workers) were used for these two types of participants respectively to assess the level of mental distress. The distress scores were analyzed and compared among various groups. Results: The results showed that non infected DHCWs generally had mild (48.98%) to moderate (31.43%) psychological distress as a result of the Covid situation. While Covid recovered DCHWs had minimal (30.86%) and moderate depression (30.07%) The particularly vulnerable groups showing more psychological distress were non-infected female DHCWs and non-infected DHCWs working at Lady Reading hospital Peshawar. Conclusion: The Covid-19 pandemic affected the mental health of DHCWs in a negative way, and most of the DHCWs had mild to moderate severity of distress or depression.

Prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders among dental healthcare providers: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) are common in dentistry due to the prolonged static work involved during patient care, making dental health care personnel vulnerable to musculoskeletal complaints. We aimed to pool the prevalence estimates of MSD among various dental healthcare providers, including dentists, dental students, dental hygienists, and auxiliaries. Methods: A systematic search of five databases was performed (Scopus, Embase, CINAHL, Web of Science, Dentistry & Oral Sciences Source). The studies that reported the prevalence of MSD among dental healthcare workers and those written in English were selected. Screening and data extraction were performed by two review authors independently. Discrepencies were resolved by another review author. Risk of bias assessment was done using a nine-item questionnaire developed by Hoy et al. Pooled estimates were calculated using meta-analysis of proportions (random effects model). Results: Among the 3090 publications screened, 234 publications were included for full-text screening. Meta-analysis was performed for 89 estimates from 88 publications. Females showed significantly higher prevalence [OR = 1.42 (95% CI = 1.09-1.84); I 2 = 66.02; N = 32]. The analysis yielded a pooled estimate of 78.4% (95% CI = 74.8-82). The meta-regression showed similar prevalence over the years (Coefficient: 0.001; P-value: 0.762). Conclusions: A high prevalence of MSD was noted among dental healthcare providers, with about seven out of ten having experienced MSD in the past. This emphasizes the need for awareness and adoption of appropriate ergonomic postures by dental healthcare providers from early in their careers to minimize work-related MSD.

Does combined usage of FFP2 and Surgical mask against SARS-CoV-2 affect SpO2 values and pulse rates of dental health-care workers?

Combined use of surgical mask with filtering facepiece (FFP) 2 masks has been popular among the health-care workers. However, the effect of this preference on the vital values of individuals stays as a challenge among the professionals. The present study aimed to assess the effect of FFP2 mask versus combined use of it with surgical mask on the SpO2 values and pulse rates of individuals. This study was conducted on 20 health-care workers. The pulse rates and SpO2 values were evaluated by pulse oximeter placed in the index fingers of the participants. The participants were divided into two groups: those using the FFP2 mask and those using FFP2-surgical mask combination. Individuals wearing FFP2 mask were examined for a period of 60 min and the same examination was repeated for another period of 60 min in those using combination of FFP2 with surgical mask. The values were measured at the beginning and at 15, 30, 45, and 60 min intervals, respectively. The examinations were conducted in the rest position to obtain standardization. The observed data showed no statistical difference at all periods in either SpO2 values or pulse rates between FFP2 and FFP2-surgical mask combined groups. The SpO2 values reduced from the initial time to 15 min in the FFP2-surgical mask group. Also, in the FFP2-SM group, statistically significant increase in values was observed between 15 and 45 min and 15 and 60 min. Another increase in SpO2 value was found in the observations made between made 30 and 45 min in the same group (P < 0.05). The pulse rates of the individuals showed no statistical difference in both the groups and at all experimental periods (P > 0.05). According to the present study, wearing only the FFP2 mask or FFP2-surgical mask combination seems not to cause any effect on the SpO2 values and pulse rates of the participants.

A Comparative Study on Anxiety Towards COVID-19 Among Dental Postgraduate Trainees of Different Specialties in Karachi, Pakistan

OBJECTIVE: Dental health care workers around the globe are potentially vulnerable of contracting COVID-19 disease. Many studies have investigated the presence of anxiety and mental health issues amongst the healthcare worker, especially the dental professional, during COVID-19. This study aimed to compare the anxiety of dental postgraduate trainees of different specialties towards COVID-19. METHODOLOGY: An online questionnaire comprising 11 items was forwarded to dental postgraduate (PGs) trainees in Karachi for specialties of Endodontics/Operative Dentistry, Oral Surgery, Prosthodontics and Orthodontics. Responses to 9 questions were recorded on a 3-point Likert scale, where ‘Agree’ indicated anxiety and ‘Disagree’ showed no anxiety. Questions also inquired PGs opinion about the specialty and dental procedures which they perceived to have the greatest risk of infection. RESULTS: Almost 62% of responses by the participants affirmed their anxiety as demonstrated by their reply to various questions based on Likert scale. Gender (p =0.012) and marital status (p= 0.036) revealed significant difference with respect to anxiety related to closure of dental OPD in face of second wave of COVID-19 and treatment cost if infected, respectively.Treatments like ultrasonic scaling (84%) and endodontics (79%) while training in specialty of Endodontics/Operative Dentistry (88%) and Oral Surgery (69%) were considered having greatest risk to contract COVID-19. CONCLUSION: Anxiety was expressed among trainees of all dental specialties, with training in specialties of Endodontics and Oral Surgery considered at the highest risk of contracting COVID-19, with ultrasonic scaling and endodontics regarded as most risky procedures. KEYWORDS: Anxiety, COVID-19, Endodontics/Operative Dentistry, Oral Surgery, Orthodontics, Prosthodontics.

Promoting Healthcare Workers' Adoption Intention of Artificial-Intelligence-Assisted Diagnosis and Treatment: The Chain Mediation of Social Influence and Human-Computer Trust.

Artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted diagnosis and treatment could expand the medical scenarios and augment work efficiency and accuracy. However, factors influencing healthcare workers’ adoption intention of AI-assisted diagnosis and treatment are not well-understood. This study conducted a cross-sectional study of 343 dental healthcare workers from tertiary hospitals and secondary hospitals in Anhui Province. The obtained data were analyzed using structural equation modeling. The results showed that performance expectancy and effort expectancy were both positively related to healthcare workers’ adoption intention of AI-assisted diagnosis and treatment. Social influence and human–computer trust, respectively, mediated the relationship between expectancy (performance expectancy and effort expectancy) and healthcare workers’ adoption intention of AI-assisted diagnosis and treatment. Furthermore, social influence and human–computer trust played a chain mediation role between expectancy and healthcare workers’ adoption intention of AI-assisted diagnosis and treatment. Our study provided novel insights into the path mechanism of healthcare workers’ adoption intention of AI-assisted diagnosis and treatment.

Prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders among dental healthcare providers: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) are common in dentistry due to the prolonged static work involved during patient care, making dental health care personnel vulnerable to musculoskeletal complaints. We aimed to pool the prevalence estimates of MSD among various dental healthcare providers, including dentists, dental students, dental hygienists, and auxiliaries. Methods: A systematic search of five databases was performed (Scopus, Embase, CINAHL, Web of Science, Dentistry & Oral Sciences Source). The studies that reported the prevalence of MSD among dental healthcare workers and those written in English were selected. Screening and data extraction were performed by two review authors independently. Discrepencies were resolved by another review author. Risk of bias assessment was done using a nine-item questionnaire developed by Hoy et al. Pooled estimates were calculated using meta-analysis of proportions (random effects model). Results: Among the 3090 publications screened, 234 publications were included for full-text screening. Meta-analysis was performed for 89 estimates from 88 publications. Females showed significantly higher prevalence [OR = 1.42 (95% CI = 1.09-1.84); I 2 = 66.02; N = 32]. The analysis yielded a pooled estimate of 78.4% (95% CI = 74.8-82). The meta-regression showed similar prevalence over the years (Coefficient: 0.001; P-value: 0.762). Conclusions: A high prevalence of MSD was noted among dental healthcare providers, with about seven out of ten having experienced MSD in the past. This emphasizes the need for awareness and adoption of appropriate ergonomic postures by dental healthcare providers from early in their careers to minimize work-related MSD.

The Pragmatic Return to Effective Dental Infection Control Through Triage and Testing (PREDICT) Study: Protocol for a Prospective Clinical Study in the National Dental Practice-Based Research Network.

BackgroundDental practice has been greatly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. As SARS-CoV-2 infection is transmitted by respiratory fluids, dental practice techniques, which include aerosol-generating procedures, can increase the risk of transmission causing heightened safety concerns for both dental health care workers (DHCWs) and patients. These concerns have resulted in the reduction in patient volume and the available workforce within dental practices across the United States. Standardized methods for COVID-19 triage and testing may lead to increased safety and perceptions of safety for DHCWs and their patients and promote willingness to provide and access oral health care services.ObjectiveThis study is designed to develop procedures that test the feasibility of enhanced COVID-19 triage and testing in dental offices. It will provide preliminary data to support a larger network-wide study grant application aimed at developing protocols to address safety concerns of patients and DHCWs in a peri–COVID-19 pandemic era.MethodsThe feasibility study is being conducted in 4 private dental practices, each of which has a dentist member of the National Dental Practice–Based Research Network. Participants include the DHCWs and patients of the dental practice. Study procedures include completion of COVID-19 triage, completion of COVID-19 testing (point-of-care [POC] or laboratory-based [LAB] SARS-CoV-2 viral, antigen, and antibody tests based on office designation), and administration of perception and attitude surveys for participating DCHWs and patients of the dental practice over a defined study period. The office designation and the participant’s role in the practice determines which testing protocol is executed within the office. There are 4 study groups following 4 distinct protocols: (1) POC DHCWs, (2) POC patients, (3) LAB DHCWs, and (4) LAB patients.ResultsData collection began in December of 2021 and concluded in March 2022. Study results are expected to be published in fall 2022.ConclusionsThe results of this feasibility study will help identify the viability and functionality of COVID-19 triage and testing in dental practices and inform a larger network-wide study grant application that develops protocols that address safety concerns of patients and DHCWs in a COVID-19 environment.Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov NTC05123742; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05123742?term=NCT05123742International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)DERR1-10.2196/38386

US dental health care workers’ mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic

BackgroundThis study was designed to assess the prevalence of anxiety and depression symptoms and understand factors influencing mental health among dental health care workers (DHCWs) during the COVID-19 pandemic. MethodsBeginning in June 2020, 8,902 DHCWs participated monthly in an anonymous longitudinal, web-based survey (response rate, 6.7%). The Patient Health Questionnaire-4 was used to estimate rates of anxiety and depression symptoms. Changes in mental health over time and differences by demographic and practice characteristics, COVID-19 community transmission level, and COVID-19 vaccination status were tested using χ2 tests and multilevel multivariable logistic regression. ResultsAnxiety symptom rates peaked in November 2020 (28% of dental hygienists, 17% of dentists) and declined to 12% for both professions in May 2021. Depression symptom rates were highest in December 2020 (17% of dental hygienists, 10% of dentists) and declined to 8% in May 2021. Controlling for gender, age, race or ethnicity, and COVID-19 community transmission level, the authors found that dentists had significantly lower odds of anxiety symptoms (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.82; 95% CI, 0.70 to 0.95) and depression symptoms (aOR, 0.79; 95% CI, 0.67 to 0.93) than dental hygienists. Compared with vaccinated respondents, those who were unvaccinated but planning on getting vaccinated had significantly higher rates of anxiety (aOR, 1.71; 95% CI, 1.20 to 2.44) and depression (aOR, 1.57; 95% CI, 1.07 to 2.29) symptoms. ConclusionsDHCWs’ mental health fluctuated during the pandemic. Anxiety and depression in DHCWs were associated with demographic and professional characteristics as well as perceived risk of COVID-19. Practical ImplicationsMental health support should be made available for DHCWs.This clinical trial was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov. The registration numbers are NCT04423770 and NCT04542915.

A 19-Year Study of Dental Needlestick and Sharps Injuries in Japan

BackgroundNeedlestick and sharps injuries (NSIs) are serious problems for dental health care workers (DHCWs) because they are at risk for occupational blood-borne infections. In this study, risk factors for NSIs in DHCWs at Tohoku University Hospital (TUH) in Japan over 19 years were analysed. MethodsNSI data of DHCWs at TUH from April 2002 to March 2020 were collected from the Exposure Prevention Information Network (EPINet) and statistically analysed. ResultsA total of 195 NSIs occurred during the 19-year study period. Approximately 58.5% of NSIs occurred in DHCWs with less than 5 years of experience. Injection needles were the most frequent cause of NSIs (19.0%) followed by suture needles (13.3%) and ultrasonic scaler chips (12.8%). Needle injuries occurred mainly on the left hand, whereas ultrasonic scaler chip and bur injuries occurred on the right hand and other body parts whilst DHCWs were placing the instruments back on the dental unit hanging holder without removing the sharps. NSIs from other instruments primarily occurred on both hands and foot insteps during cleanup. No case of occupational blood-borne infection caused by NSIs was observed during the study period at TUH. ConclusionsNSIs occurred in DHCWs with less experience, and there were associations between the instruments, timing of use, and NSI site. EPINet was considered a valuable tool for monitoring NSIs in order to develop future strategies for minimising NSIs.

The Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on the Psychological Health and Dental Practice of Oral Healthcare Workers: A Scoping Review.

This study aims to identify the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the psychological health and dental practice of oral health-care workers (OHCWs). The search for relevant literature was carried out online using PubMed, Web of science, and science direct databases from January 2020 to February 2021. Those articles were included that provided complete information about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on oral health-care workers during covid-19 and were original articles and reviews. Those articles were excluded from the current study that was not in English Language and involved case reports/book chapters/short communications. Finally, only 8 articles were selected for the scoping review considering that complete information regarding the provision of dental care in the time of COVID-19 was provided. Increased psychological distress (especially those with existing comorbidities) was noted among the OHCWs during this pandemic. They had enough knowledge about COVID-19 and showed concern regarding the future of dentistry. Either complete or partial closure of dental clinics had introduced financial constraints among them. However, the majority of them did not switch their profession. The institutions were not prepared for any such situation and no training was conducted to control the spread of COVID-19 infection. OHCWs are fully aware of the knowledge regarding COVID-19 and showed concerns for dentistry and dental health-care workers during this pandemic. Complete or partial closure of dental clinics has had adverse effects on the future of dentistry, economically as well as psychologically. Institutions need to upgrade and strengthen their systems to cater to any such situation efficiently. Proper counseling sessions should be conducted for the OHCWs to monitor, identify and treat the cases found.

Depression among Online Respondent Oral Healthcare Workers during COVID-19 Pandemic: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study.

COVID-19 outbreak brought unprecedented pressure on dental and oral health care workers leading to increased depression. This study aimed to find the prevalence of depression among online respondent oral healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from 24 June 2020 to 13 July 2020 among oral health care workers in a tertiary care centre. Ethical approval was taken from the Ethical Review Board (Reference number: 2710). Convenience sampling method was used. The data were collected using a questionnaire through Google Forms. Point estimate and 95% confidence interval were calculated. Among 133 oral health care workers, the prevalence of depression was found to be 29 (21.80%) (14.78-28.82, 95% Confidence Interval). The prevalence of depression among oral health care workers was lower than similar studies done in similar settings. COVID-19; depression; oral health.

Association of COVID 19 related factors and psychological factors with psychological distress among dental health care workers in government dental tertiary care centers, Kerala

COVID-19 pandemic created a huge psychological impact on the dental profession. The risk of transmission is high. This fact increased the fear and anxiety of dental health care workers. To determine the association of COVID-19 related fear and other psychological factors with psychological distress among dental health care workers in Government Dental colleges in Kerala. A cross-sectional study was conducted among dental health care workers to determine the psychological distress using Kesler’s K-6 distress scale. COVID-19 related fear, and psychological factors such as subjective overload (demand scale-short version), and self-efficacy (general self-efficacy scale) were also assessed. Binary logistic regression was used to analyze the main determinants of psychological distress.: Specific psychological distress (SPD) was estimated to be 53.9% [95% CI [59.3-48.3]]. Specific psychological distress was found more among females (79.2%), having BDS qualification (61.5%), house surgeons and junior residents (64.1%), and dental hygienists (25.4%). The main determinants of SPD were poor self-efficacy (AOR-2.985), physical health problems in the last 30 days (AOR-3.136), anxiety about COVID treatment costs (AOR- 2.598), and fear of transmitting the infection to family members (AOR-2.118).It is highly essential to provide adequate psychological support mechanisms that facilitate the early detection of psychological distress among all dental health care workers in Kerala. Interventions to enhance self-efficacy such as skills acquisition programmes should be made mandatory for all dental health care workers. Further studies need to be conducted to assess the long-term psychological impact of the pandemic on dentistry.

COVID-19 Contraction Among Dental Healthcare Workers in the Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics - A Retrospective Analysis During the Pandemic.

IntroductionThe COVID-19 pandemic has led to major challenges for the healthcare sector across the globe including dental healthcare workers (DHCWs) due to the increased risk of transmission of virus during aerosol-generating procedures. We conducted the present retrospective analysis determining the risk of contraction of COVID-19 infection among DHCWs since the outbreak of the pandemic for a year (March 2020 through March 2021) in Mumbai.MethodsIn total, 18,058 patients visited the Nair Hospital Dental College for dental treatment related to the Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics during the assessed year. All the patients were subjected to intensive triage, which included recording their body temperature, oxygen saturation level, travel, and COVID-19 exposure history.ResultsA total of 26 DHCWs were responsible for attending and treating the patients with all the standard infection control measures. Seventy-four (0.40%) patients out of 18058 were referred for a nasal rapid antigen test (RAT) on giving a positive affirmation about COVID-19 like symptoms when screened at the triage. Of those 74 patients referred, 20 reported a positive nasal rapid antigen test and the infection was confirmed by Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR). Among 26, 9 (34,7%) DCHWs were found to have contracted the infection during the assessed year.ConclusionThe analysis found that the risk of COVID-19 infection contraction amongst the DHCWs is considerably less. This could be attributed to the intensive triage and the preventive measures taken while rendering treatment.