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Steinberg N, Batistella EA, Iyer S, Madathil SA, Allison P, Brondani M, Glogauer M, Levin L. The dental COVID-19 paradox: Disparity in behaviors inside and outside dental schools in Canada. J Dent Educ 2024. [PMID: 38558231 DOI: 10.1002/jdd.13527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2023] [Accepted: 03/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To describe the personal and professional behavior and assess the perceptions of protection and fear of contracting coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) among faculty, staff, and students from all 10 Canadian dental schools during the second year of the pandemic. METHOD Participants from a Pan-Canadian prospective study answered monthly questionnaires about their activities between April 2021 and March 2022. In May 2022, additional questions were asked about their perception of protection, fear of infection, and instances of COVID-19 testing. RESULTS Six hundred participants were initially recruited. Over time, the participants spent less time at home and increased their participation in indoor social activities, a trend influenced by the fluctuations in COVID-19 cases (β = ‒0.02). Over 90% of the participants were fully vaccinated, which decreased their fear of contracting the virus (χ2[4, 241‒243] = 196.07, p < 0.0001). Yet, their attitude toward protective measures did not change, and they followed them within school. CONCLUSIONS This work shows a paradoxical behavior among dental students, staff, and faculty members in Canadian dental schools. While factors such as the vaccine's limited efficacy and a desire to protect others may contribute to stringent protective behaviors within dental schools, the mandatory nature of these measures was likely the primary motivator for the compliance. Despite potential efforts to minimize exposure to the virus during risk periods and the frequent COVID-19 testing, this paradoxical behavior raises questions about professional responsibilities extending beyond the workplace. Thus, dental schools should incorporate education about the rationale behind following different protocols and the potential consequences of outside school behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noam Steinberg
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | | | - Srimathi Iyer
- Faculty of Dental Medicine and Oral Health Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | | | - Paul Allison
- Faculty of Dental Medicine and Oral Health Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Mario Brondani
- Faculty of Dentistry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Michael Glogauer
- Faculty of Dentistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Dental Oncology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Liran Levin
- Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, School of Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
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McLaughlin KJ, Khanna M, Allison PJ, Glogauer M, McNally ME, Quiñonez C, Rock L, Siqueira W, Madathil SA. Investigating the perceptions and experiences of Canadian dentists on dental regulatory bodies' communications and guidelines during the COVID-19 pandemic. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol 2024. [PMID: 38189594 DOI: 10.1111/cdoe.12939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Revised: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Dental regulatory bodies aim to ensure the health and safety of dentists, dental staff patients and the public. An important responsibility during a pandemic is to communicate risk and guidelines for patient care. Limited data exist on the perceptions and experiences of dentists navigating new guidelines for mitigating risk in dental care during the pandemic. The objective of this study was to use a qualitative approach to explore how dentists in Canada experienced and perceived their regulatory bodies' communication about COVID-19 risks and guidelines during the pandemic. METHODS Participants were Canadian dentists (N = 644) recruited through the email roster of nine provincial dental associations or regulatory bodies. This qualitative analysis was nested within a prospective longitudinal cohort study in which data were collected using online questionnaires at regular intervals from August 2020 to November 2021. To address the objective reported in this paper, a conventional qualitative content analysis method was applied to responses to three open-ended questions included in the final questionnaire. RESULTS Participants encountered challenges and frustrations amid the COVID-19 pandemic, grappling with diverse regulations and communications from dental bodies. While some bodies offered helpful guidance, many participants felt the need for improved communication on guidelines. Dentists urged for expedited, clearer and more frequent updates, expressing difficulty in navigating overwhelming information. Negative views emerged on the vague and unclear communication of COVID-19 guidelines, contributing to confusion and frustration among participants. CONCLUSION As COVID-19 persists and in planning for future pandemics, these experiential findings will help guide regulatory bodies in providing clear, timely and practical guidelines to protect the health and safety of dentists, dental staff, patients and the public.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mehak Khanna
- Faculty of Dental Medicine & Oral Health Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Paul J Allison
- Faculty of Dental Medicine & Oral Health Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Michael Glogauer
- Faculty of Dentistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Mary E McNally
- Faculty of Dentistry, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Carlos Quiñonez
- Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Leigha Rock
- Faculty of Dentistry, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Walter Siqueira
- College of Dentistry, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
| | - Sreenath A Madathil
- Faculty of Dental Medicine & Oral Health Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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Khanna M, Allison P, Farmer J, Quiñonez C, Glogauer M, Siqueira WL, Rock LD, McNally M, Madathil S. Personal protective equipment during COVID-19: A natural history of dental and dental hygiene regulatory guidance in Canada. J Am Dent Assoc 2023; 154:1077-1086.e8. [PMID: 38008525 DOI: 10.1016/j.adaj.2023.09.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2023] [Revised: 08/12/2023] [Accepted: 09/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/28/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Due to the evolving nature of COVID-19, there is evidence that COVID-19-specific infection prevention and control guideline (IPCG) documents formulated for oral health care settings are also changing rapidly. To better inform future policies, a comprehensive review of all IPCG documents across different phases of restrictions for oral health care practitioners is required. TYPES OF STUDIES REVIEWED A search was performed for documents shared from March 2020 through January 2022 on websites of oral health regulatory authorities in Canada's 10 provinces and 3 territories. The authors performed a narrative review of the identified IPCG documents for dentists (n = 78) and dental hygienists (n = 57). RESULTS Overall findings from more than 100 IPCG documents distributed during a period of 23 months revealed that the frequency of these updates differed among jurisdictions and between the 2 oral health care practitioners (ie, dentists and dental hygienists) within the same jurisdiction. The most notable observation was the different face-covering recommendations for dentists and dental hygienists within the same jurisdiction during the same timeframe. A common document was sometimes observed for dentists and dental hygienists, however, most jurisdictions had separate IPCG documents. CONCLUSIONS AND PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS The different approaches could have been justified on the basis of prevalence of COVID-19 and availability of personal protective equipment; however, there was a risk of creating confusion about IPCG best practices. The findings of this review will support decision makers when planning future development and dissemination of regulations for all oral health care practitioners.
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Ramachandran S, Soheilipour S, Ford NL, Brondani MA. Exploring stressors and coping strategies among dental students during COVID-19 pandemic in British Columbia. J Dent Educ 2023; 87:1427-1436. [PMID: 37429731 DOI: 10.1002/jdd.13312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2022] [Revised: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 06/22/2023] [Indexed: 07/12/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The COVID-19 pandemic has caused stress among undergraduate dental students; coping mechanisms might be employed to deal with such stress. A cross-sectional study was conducted to explore the coping strategies employed by dental students at the University of British Columbia (UBC) in response to their self-perceived stressors during the pandemic. METHODS An anonymous 35-item survey was distributed to all four cohorts of UBC undergraduate dental students enrolled in the 2021-2022 academic year, 229 students in total. The survey gathered sociodemographic information, self-perceived COVID-19-related stressor, and coping strategies via the Brief Cope Inventory. Adaptive and maladaptive coping were compared among the years of study, self-perceived stressors, sex, ethnicity, and living situations. RESULTS Of the 229 eligible students, 182 (79.5%) responded to the survey. Of the 171 students that reported a major self-perceived stressor, 99 (57.9%) of them were stressed about clinical skill deficit due to the pandemic; fear of contraction was reported by 27 (15.8%). Acceptance, self-distraction, and positive reframing were the most used coping strategies among all students. The one-way ANOVA test revealed a significant difference in the adaptive coping scores among the four student cohorts (p = 0.001). Living alone was found to be a significant predictor for maladaptive coping (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION The main cause of stress related to the COVID-19 pandemic for dental students at UBC is their clinical skills being negatively affected. Coping strategies including acceptance and self-distraction were identified. Continued mitigation efforts should be made to address students' mental health concerns and create a supportive learning environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Swathi Ramachandran
- Department of Oral Health Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Shimae Soheilipour
- Department of Oral Health Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
- Dental Research Institute and Department of Dental Public Health, School of Dentistry, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Nancy L Ford
- Department of Oral Biological and Medical Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Mario A Brondani
- Department of Oral Health Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
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Macdonald LK, Glogauer M, Allison P, Quiñonez C, Madathil S, Rock LD. Canadian dental hygienists' experiences and perceptions of regulatory guidelines during the COVID-19 pandemic: a qualitative descriptive analysis. BMC Health Serv Res 2022; 22:1570. [PMID: 36550441 PMCID: PMC9773656 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-022-08925-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2022] [Accepted: 12/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In Spring of 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Canadian provincial dental hygiene regulatory bodies implemented new practice guidelines. Reports of stress, anxiety and conflict experienced by dental hygienists have been linked to miscommunication between oral health regulators at this time. Limited data exists on the perceptions and experiences of dental hygienists navigating new guidelines for dental hygiene care during the pandemic. Therefore, the objective of our study was to explore via descriptive thematic analysis how dental hygienists experienced and perceived: i) dental hygiene practice during the COVID-19 pandemic, and ii) their regulatory body's COVID-19 guidelines. METHODS Participants were identified through provincial dental hygiene licensing bodies. Online bi-monthly questionnaires were administered to participants (n = 876) from December 2021 to January 2022. Two open-ended questions were asked in the questionnaire. A qualitative descriptive thematic analysis was applied to these two questions. RESULTS Major themes at baseline relayed challenges related to workplace compliance, patient treatment and communication of practice protocols. Across responses, hygienists confirmed conflicting messaging from regulators and guideline interpretations as stressors impacting their professional practice and satisfaction within the profession. Participant responses at endpoint cited increased satisfaction with regulatory guidelines as the pandemic evolved, yet inconsistencies in regulators' messaging was noted as a prevailing issue. CONCLUSION Inconsistent guideline messaging reflects an increased need for collaboration amongst oral health care regulators to streamline protocols for practice and reduce interprofessional conflict in pandemic circumstances. A national unified approach is warranted in establishing guidelines for dental hygiene practice in Canada.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lindsay K. Macdonald
- grid.55602.340000 0004 1936 8200Faculty of Dentistry, Dalhousie University, 5981 University Avenue, Room, Halifax, 5224 Canada
| | - Michael Glogauer
- grid.17063.330000 0001 2157 2938Faculty of Dentistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Paul Allison
- grid.14709.3b0000 0004 1936 8649Faculty of Dental Medicine & Oral Health Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Carlos Quiñonez
- grid.39381.300000 0004 1936 8884Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, Canada
| | - Sreenath Madathil
- grid.14709.3b0000 0004 1936 8649Faculty of Dental Medicine & Oral Health Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Leigha D. Rock
- grid.55602.340000 0004 1936 8200Faculty of Dentistry, Dalhousie University, 5981 University Avenue, Room, Halifax, 5224 Canada ,grid.55602.340000 0004 1936 8200Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada
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Brondani MA, Noroozbahari N. Students’ appraisal of a preparedness model for the provision of oral health care during a pandemic. BMC Oral Health 2022; 22:496. [DOI: 10.1186/s12903-022-02535-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2022] [Accepted: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the provision of oral health care worldwide, prompting the discussion of preparedness. This study aimed to perform an initial appraisal of the usability, spatial representation, and clarity of a newly developed preparedness model from the perspective of senior undergraduate dental students at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada, enrolled in the 2020-21 academic year. Answers were analyzed thematically via an inductive coding process between March and June 2021.
Results
All the 111 students in years 3 (#55) and 4 (#56) appraised the preparedness model, generating more than 200 pages of text. Four main themes were identified across the essays: streamlined depiction, information-based approach, adaptability to an ever-changing situation, and room for improvement. Although the majority of students appraised the model as being useful in fostering information-seeking behaviour, few students disagreed with the model’s portrayal and made further suggestions.
Conclusions
Preparedness models can better guide oral health care providers during a health crisis such as a pandemic. The recently developed preparedness model was appraised as useful by senior undergraduate dental students, although alternative portrayals of the model were suggested. A comprehensive assessment of the newly developed model (and of its variations) is warranted to better support oral health care service delivery during a pandemic.
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Sharma P, Dhawan P, Rajpal S, Bhat A. Knowledge, Attitudes, and Perception of Parents toward Dental Treatment of Children during the COVID-19 Outbreak. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2021; 14:693-699. [PMID: 34934285 PMCID: PMC8645624 DOI: 10.5005/jp-journals-10005-2041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge of parents regarding the coronavirus outbreak and to assess the change in attitude and perception toward dental treatment during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. A structured questionnaire (on google format) containing 13 questions was used, and each question had 2 or 3 possible answers. The parents/guardians of children (aged 3–14 years) who were school-going were eligible to participate in this study. A total of 800 parents/guardians were interviewed on google reporting format from June to December 2020. A simple random sampling technique was used to select 800 parents/guardians of children, aged 3–14 years, studying in different schools in Chandigarh. According to the survey, a total of 86% of respondents said that they paid high attention to COVID-19 and explained it to their children; 97% reported that they emphasized the importance of hand hygiene and sanitation during the outbreak; 72% admitted that the outbreak has made them more conscious of the importance of maintaining good oral health and hygiene, to avoid visiting the dentist and 84% felt that the routine dental check-ups and appointments should be avoided during the COVID-19 outbreak; almost half of the respondents (47%) thought that the dental environment was a potential source of infection to their kids; 37% felt getting treatment at a dental setup may expose their child to risks of COVID-19; 71% said they would take their child to a dental department if he/she had a severe toothache. Approximately 46% of the respondents expressed confidence about the preventive measures taken in the dental department to ensure safe treatment for their children. In conclusion, all respondents were concerned about COVID-19 and most of them had talked about it with their children often. In addition, a considerable percentage of them showed apprehensions about the preventive measures being taken at the dental operatory and thought that the dental environment could be more dangerous than other environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Poonam Sharma
- Department of Paedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, BRS Dental College, Sultanpur, Barwala, Panchkula, Haryana, India
| | - Preeti Dhawan
- Department of Paedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, BRS Dental College, Sultanpur, Barwala, Panchkula, Haryana, India
| | - Sumeet Rajpal
- Department of Paedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, BRS Dental College, Sultanpur, Barwala, Panchkula, Haryana, India
| | - Anu Bhat
- Department of Paedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, BRS Dental College, Sultanpur, Barwala, Panchkula, Haryana, India
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Brondani M, Donnelly L. A preparedness model for the provision of oral health care during unfolding threats: the case of the covid-19 pandemic. BMC Oral Health 2021; 21:254. [PMID: 33980235 PMCID: PMC8114663 DOI: 10.1186/s12903-021-01627-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario Brondani
- Director - Diversity, Equity and Inclusion; Chair - Dental Public Health, Department of Oral Health Sciences, 116/2199 Wesbrook Mall, Faculty of Dentistry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, V6T 1Z3, Canada.
| | - Leeann Donnelly
- Director - Community Engagement; Department of Oral Health and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
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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; 16:e0249186. [PMID: 33886570 PMCID: PMC8061945 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0249186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2021] [Accepted: 03/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
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.
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Shirazi S, Stanford CM, Cooper LF. Characteristics and Detection Rate of SARS-CoV-2 in Alternative Sites and Specimens Pertaining to Dental Practice: An Evidence Summary. J Clin Med 2021; 10:1158. [PMID: 33802043 PMCID: PMC8000787 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10061158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2021] [Revised: 03/04/2021] [Accepted: 03/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Knowledge about the detection potential and detection rates of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in various body fluids and sites is important for dentists since they, directly or indirectly, deal with many of these fluids/sites in their daily practices. In this study, we attempt to review the latest evidence and meta-analysis studies regarding the detection rate of SARS-CoV-2 in different body specimens and sites as well as the characteristics of these sample. The presence/detection of SARS-CoV-2 viral biomolecules (nucleic acid, antigens, antibody) in different clinical specimens depends greatly on the specimen type and timing of collection. These specimens/sites include nasopharynx, oropharynx, nose, saliva, sputum, bronchoalveolar lavage, stool, urine, ocular fluid, serum, plasma and whole blood. The relative detection rate of SARS-CoV-2 viral biomolecules in each of these specimens/sites is reviewed in detail within the text. The infectious potential of these specimens depends mainly on the time of specimen collection and the presence of live replicating viral particles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sajjad Shirazi
- Department of Oral Biology, College of Dentistry, University of Illinois at Chicago, 801 S Paulina St, Chicago, IL 60612, USA;
| | - Clark M. Stanford
- Department of Restorative Dentistry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA;
| | - Lyndon F. Cooper
- Department of Oral Biology, College of Dentistry, University of Illinois at Chicago, 801 S Paulina St, Chicago, IL 60612, USA;
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Dalewski B, Palka L, Kiczmer P, Sobolewska E. The Impact of SARS-CoV-2 Outbreak on the Polish Dental Community's Standards of Care-A Six-Month Retrospective Survey-Based Study. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18031281. [PMID: 33572669 PMCID: PMC7908176 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18031281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2020] [Revised: 01/22/2021] [Accepted: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Currently, SARS-CoV-2 is the primary pathogen worldwide, disrupting most of our everyday activities. The study aim was to evaluate its impact on the Polish dental community, standards of care, health, and welfare. Methods: A Google Forms survey was conducted among 303 dental practitioners. Results: Of respondents, 54.93% curbed the number of patients in the last six months, 34.21% declared no changes, and 10.86% reported an increase; whereas 70.7% of the respondents reported a treatment price increase within the same period (27.96% and 1.32% reported no changes and a decrease, respectively). Of the respondents, 15.5% did not close their businesses during the first wave of the pandemic. Most declared 1 or 2 month break, 30.7% and 34.7%, respectively. Some reported 3, 4, or 5 month breaks (15.84%, 1.32%, and 0.99%, respectively), and only two respondents (0.66%) did not admit patients at all. Headache episodes were more frequent among female dentists before the pandemic; after the pandemic, headache frequency increased among both sexes. Temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) were more frequent among women (p = 0.017). Conclusions: Most Polish dentists followed SARS-CoV-2 recommendations and restricted their practices to admitting only patients with pain or incomplete treatment. Decreased sleep parameters, head, back, and neck pain, were observed. This situation may affect dental health conditions in Polish society over time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bartosz Dalewski
- Chair and Department of Dental Prosthetics, Pomeranian Medical University, 70-111 Szczecin, Poland; (B.D.); (E.S.)
| | - Lukasz Palka
- Private Dental Practice, 68-200 Żary, Poland
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +48-608882535
| | - Paweł Kiczmer
- Department and Chair of Pathomorphology, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Zabrze, Medical University of Silesia, 40-752 Katowice, Poland;
| | - Ewa Sobolewska
- Chair and Department of Dental Prosthetics, Pomeranian Medical University, 70-111 Szczecin, Poland; (B.D.); (E.S.)
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