Survey of the Opinion of Dentists and Dental Technicians on the Impact of the State of Emergency Related to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Epidemic in Bulgaria on their Practice

Tanya Bozhkova; Nina Musurlieva

doi:10.3889/oamjms.2021.5791

Authors

Tanya Bozhkova Department of Prosthetic Dentistry, Faculty of Dental Medicine, Medical University - Plovdiv, Plovdiv, Bulgaria
Nina Musurlieva Department of Social Medicine and Public Health, Faculty of Public Health, Medical University - Plovdiv, Plovdiv, Bulgaria

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3889/oamjms.2021.5791

Keywords:

Covid - 19 epidemic, dentists, dental technicians

Abstract

BACKGROUND: In their practice, health-care professionals are at increased risk of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection, which is particularly high for dentists, hygienists, dental assistants, and dental technicians due to close contact with patients and exposure to biological fluids and aerosol/droplets during dental procedures.

AIM: The purpose of this study is to survey the opinion of dentists and dental technicians about the impact of the state of emergency in Bulgaria related to the COVID-19 epidemic on their practices.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A specially developed web-based survey conducted among 49 dentists and dental technicians was used. The results were processed with SPSS v. 18 at significance level of p < 0.05.

RESULTS: A group of 49 dentists and dental technicians were included in the survey. Оf them (20.41 ± 5.76) reported that they did not work at all during the state of emergency. Relatively, a large number of dentists (81.82 ± 8.22) respond that they have completely changed their patient care protocols. The result is similar for dental technicians (77.77 ± 8.00). More than half of the dentists (59.09 ± 10.48) respond that they specifically disinfect the dental impressions, and of the dental technicians (29.63 ± 8.78) say that they insist on this. All of the respondents share that they use special protective equipment in their practices.

CONCLUSION: Although significant progress has been made in controlling COVID-19 and dental clinics and practices are gradually resuming routine patient care, the prevention and control of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 transmission during dental procedures remains a serious challenge.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Metrics

Metrics Loading ...

Plum Analytics Artifact Widget Block

References

Khan S, Ali A, Siddique R, Nabi G. Novel Coronavirus is putting the whole world on alert. J Hosp Infect. 2020;104(3):252-3. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhin.2020.01.019 PMid:32032614

Izzetti R, Nisi M, Gabriele M, Graziani F. COVID-19 transmission in dental practice: Brief review of preventive measures in Italy. J Dent Res. 2020;99(9):1030-8. https://doi.org/10.1177/0022034520920580 PMid:32302257

Peng X, Xu X, Li Y, Cheng L, Zhou X, Ren B. Transmission routes of 2019-nCoV and controls in dental practice. Int J Oral Sci. 2020;12(1):9. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41368-020-0075-9 PMid:32127517

Meng L, Hua F, Bian Z. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19): Emerging and future challenges for dental and oral medicine. J Dent Res. 2020;99(5):481-7. https://doi.org/10.1177/0022034520914246 PMid:32162995

World Health Organization Statement on the Second Meeting of the International Health Regulations. Emergency Committee Regarding the Outbreak of Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV); 2005. Available from: https://www.who.int/news-room/ detail/30-01-2020-statement-on-the-second-meeting-of-the-international-health-regulations-(2005)-emergency-committee-regarding-the-outbreak-of-novel-coronavirus-(2019-ncov). [Last accessed on 2020 Jan 30] https://doi.org/10.4178/epih.e2020013

Yang Y, Zhou Y, Liu X, Tan J. Health services provision of 48 public tertiary dental hospitals during the COVID-19 epidemic in China. Clin Oral Investig. 2020;24(5):1861-4. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00784-020-03267-8 PMid:32246280

Coulthard P. Dentistry and Coronavirus (COVID-19)-moral decision-making. Br Dent J. 2020;228(7):503-5. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41415-020-1482-1 PMid:32277203

Kampf G, Todt D, Pfaender S, Steinmann E. Persistence of Coronaviruses on inanimate surfaces and their inactivation with biocidal agents. J Hosp Infect. 2020;104(3):246-51. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhin.2020.01.022 PMid:32035997

Otter JA, Donskey C, Yezli S, Douthwaite S, Goldenberg SD, Weber DJ. Transmission of SARS and MERS coronaviruses and influenza virus in healthcare settings: The possible role of dry surface contamination. J Hosp Infect. 2016;92(3):235-50. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhin.2015.08.027 PMid:26597631

Kulekci G, Cintan S, Dulger O. Infection control from the point of dentistry. J Turk Dent Assoc. 2000;58:91-3.

Fallahi HR, Keyhan SO, Zandian D, Kim SG, Cheshmi B. Being a front-line dentist during the COVID-19 pandemic: A literature review. Maxillofac Plast Reconstr Surg. 2020;42(1):12. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40902-020-00256-5 PMid:32341913

Fiorillo L, Cervino G, Matarese M, D’Amico C, Surace G, Paduano V, et al. COVID-19 surface persistence: A recent data summary and its importance for medical and dental settings. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2020;17(9):3132. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17093132 PMid:32365891

Upendran A, Geiger Z. Dental Infection Control. Treasure Island, FL, USA: Stat Pearls; 2020.

Huang C, Wang Y, Li X, Ren L. Clinical features of patients infected with 2019 novel Coronavirus in Wuhan China. Lancet. 2020;395:497-506.

Belser JA, Rota PA, Tumpey TM. Ocular tropism of respiratory viruses. Microbiol Mol Biol Rev. 2013;77(1):144-56. PMid:23471620