The impact of a pandemic on dental professionals' work and personal lives: A qualitative study with implications for primary healthcare workers

A scoping review of the impact of COVID-19 on dentistry: financial aspects

BACKGROUND

The technological advancements of the past few decades in various aspects that are directly or indirectly related to health, along with the emphasis on public health in societal development, have improved the quality of life. However, the occurrence of pandemics and crises underscores how various aspects of individual life can be impacted. The financial consequences resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic have particularly affected the field of dentistry and public oral health. This study aims to investigate the financial effects of the COVID-19 virus on dentistry through a scoping review.

METHODS

A comprehensive literature search was conducted across four databases (Medline through PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Cochrane Central) using keywords such as COVID-19 and its equivalents, dentistry, oral health, dental education, dental services, dental clinics, financial impact, financial opportunities and economic impact. Articles addressing the financial impact of COVID-19 on dentistry and oral health were then screened and reviewed.

RESULTS

Out of 1015 articles related to COVID-19 and dentistry, 84 were focused on the financial impact of COVID-19 on dentistry. The majority of these articles originated from the United States, Brazil, and Saudi Arabia, with a prevalence of cross-sectional and review articles. The review categorized the articles into two main themes: financial problems and proposed solutions. Moreover, the following themes were extracted: the effects of practice closure on dentists and staff, increased treatment costs and impacts on oral health, personal protective equipment and unforeseen costs, psychological effects of financial issues, and financial challenges within the dental education system.

CONCLUSIONS

While many high-income countries seem able to mitigate COVID-19-induced financial problems, the economic effects on dentistry might persist despite the pandemic's end. These financial challenges have spurred new opportunities and infrastructure development but can pose significant risks to community oral health. This study aimed to highlight these problems and propose solutions, contributing to efforts to improve the oral health of communities globally. Further research is needed to understand long-term impacts.

Knowledge about methods of disinfection of dental impression among dentists from Ecuador post SARS-COV-2 pandemic

Purpose

The aim of this study is to evaluate the understanding of the management of methods and practices of disinfection of dental impressions applied by general dentists and specialists in oral rehabilitation, post SARS-COV-2 pandemic.

Introduction

The oral cavity has a favorable environment for the growth and multiplication of bacteria and viruses, serving as the gateway to viruses such as SARS CoV-2 virus. Given that patients may be hosts of this infectious disease, stricter biosecurity measures in dental offices and a better understanding of the disinfection processes of dental impressions should be considered in addition to avoiding cross-infections, which are very common in our work environment.

Materials and methods

Descriptive, analytical, survey with the topic "Methods and practices of disinfection of dental impressions" that was composed of 14 questions based in OHPD (Oral Health Preventive Dentistry), n = 452 respondents who met the following inclusion criteria: general practice dentists from Ecuador who actively take dental impressions, specialists in oral rehabilitation with 5 years of experience, surveys with information of complete items, n = 270 professionals; n = 192 general dentists, dental hygienist and n = 78 oral rehabilitation specialists.

Results

n = 270 professionals evaluated, with a mean of p = 0.0. At 426 responses with a p value of <0.05, 30.4 % of responses indicated ignorance in the management of dental impressions, with a standard deviation of 2.744, with significant differences between professions (p = 0.035) and higher average knowledge of sample management within specialist dentists, (Chi p = 0.410 p > 0.05).

Conclusion

The understanding of the management of dental impressions among general dentists and specialists in oral rehabilitation is limited.

The health and quality of life of dental workers in jordan during COVID-19: A cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Dental team members are susceptible to high mental and physical stress levels, which could have increased during the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to evaluate Jordanian dental workers' health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and determine its predictors during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

METHODS

This was a cross-sectional survey study conducted on dental team members, namely; Dentists, dental Assistants, and Dental Technicians. The survey questionnaire was composed of questions related to stress during COVID-19, a short-form survey of 12 items (SF-12), a Depression, Anxiety, and Stress scale (DASS-21), and a Nordic musculoskeletal disorder questionnaire (NMQ). Descriptive analyses were used to describe the main outcome measures, and multiple variable regression analysis was conducted to identify the quality of life predictors.

RESULTS

Participants' HRQoL measured by SF-12 showed a mean±SD score of 67.1±17.19 for the physical component and 54.51±20.27 for the mental component. The Nordic scale showed symptoms of lower back pain as 63.9% over 12 months, 32% over 12 months' functional limitation symptoms, and 45% in 7 days The regression model was found strong for our study with 53.8% variations (r2 = 0.538, F = 43.739, P < 0.001) in health-related quality of life.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study concluded that the level of HRQoL among Jordanian dental specialists during COVID-19 was observed to impact levels of physical and mental well-being which negatively influence the quality of life. Predictive factors like depression, stress, anxiety, musculoskeletal health, and individual everyday quality of life significantly affect the HRQoL of dental specialists.

Dentists' lived experience of providing dental care during the COVID-19 pandemic: A qualitative study in Mashhad, Iran

Background

This study aimed to explore the lived experiences of dentists practicing in Mashhad, Iran, during the COVID-19 pandemic and identify possible influencing factors for providing dental health in this era.

Methods

Sixteen dentists took part in this qualitative phenomenological study. Semi-structured face-to-face interviews were performed and evaluated using a qualitative content analysis approach. The MAXQDA program (2020) was used to code and classify the data. Purposive sampling, audio recording, member checking, and peer review were employed to verify transferability, reliability, and validity. The interview transcripts were transcribed, and sentences and remarks relevant to the study's goal were retrieved and classified.

Results

Six hundred twenty-eight codes were extracted after several readings of the texts. Five core themes and fourteen sub-themes were determined after deleting repeated themes and axial coding. The main five themes included: "Coping with the COVID-19 pandemic", "Alternations in providing dental care," "Infection control," "COVID-19-related news and information sources", and "Positive and negative aspects of COVID-19 in dental care ".

Conclusions

During the COVID-19 pandemic, dentists noted various challenges in delivering routine dental treatment, including a lack of resources, reliable and straightforward guidelines for dentists, and governmental policies for dental facility restrictions. Dentists concluded that financial, educational, and financial support from the government would significantly enhance the delivery of community dental care services. With the right strategies and lessons learned, dentists may be better prepared for future challenges in global health care.