Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran

2 PhD, Professor, Department of Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran

3 Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, Faculty of Dentistry, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Coronavirus disease 2019 is a new viral outbreak in the world. Dentists and
their assistants are at greatest risk of exposure to the virus, due to close contact with patients and
dealing with aerosols. Hence, the aim of this study was to compare the use of personal protective
equipment (PPE) and supplementary protective equipment (SPE) and observance of the principles
of infection control (PIC) in dentists and their assistants before and after the corona crisis.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross‑sectional study was conducted using an online survey
from May 6 to 20, 2020. Convenience sampling was used to select individuals. The questionnaire,
consisting of four general categories about the use of PPE and SPE and the observance of PIC
by dentists and their assistants before and after corona crisis, was registered at Porsline website
(https://survey.porsline.ir/s/KUt7VQB). Frequencies in each subcategory were calculated and
comparisons were done using Chi‑square test, Fisher’s exact test, and paired sample t‑test. A P < 0.05
was considered statistically significant.
RESULTS: There were significant differences in the frequency of use of PPE by dentists before and
after corona crisis for oral and dental examination and also dental procedures (P < 0.001). There
were significant differences in the frequency of use of SPE and observance of PIC before and after
corona crisis, except for different types of suction types (P = 0.22), dental handpiece (P = 0.66),
and dental unit (P = 1). There were significant differences in the frequency of use of PPE by dental
assistants before and after corona crisis (P < 0.001).
CONCLUSIONS: Although the frequency of use of PPE and observance of PIC increased among
dentists and their assistants, this increase is not sufficient, especially for dental assistants, and a
higher level of use of PPE and PIC observance in face of highly contagious and life‑threatening
viruses such as corona is required.

Keywords

1. Kazemi‑Karyani A, Safari‑Faramani R, Amini S, Ramezani‑Doroh V,
Berenjian  F, Dizaj  MY, et al. World one‑hundred days after
COVID‑19 outbreak: Incidence, case fatality rate, and trend. J Educ
Health Promot 2020; 9:199.
2. Ravi RC. Lockdown of colleges and universities due to COVID‑19:
Any impact on the educational system in India? J Educ Health
Promot 2020; 9:209.
3. Poursadeqiyan  M, Bazrafshan  E, Arefi  MF. Review of
environmental challenges and pandemic crisis of Covid‑19. J Educ
Health Promot 2020; 9:250.
4. Ali S, Zeb U, Khan M, Muhammad A. Transmission routes and
infection control of novel coronavirus‑2019 in dental clinics – A
review. J Islamabad Med Dent Coll 2020; 9:65‑72.
5. Khanagar  SB, Al‑Ehaideb  A, Naik  S, Vishwananthaiah  S,
Maganur P, Marwah N. Primordial‑level preventive measures
for dental care providers against life‑threatening Corona Virus
Disease (COVID‑19). Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2020; 13:176‑9.
6. Khader Y, Al Nsour M, Al‑Batayneh OB, Saadeh R, Bashier H,
Alfaqih M, et al. Dentists’ awareness, perception, and attitude
regarding COVID‑19 and infection control: Cross‑sectional study
among Jordanian dentists. JMIR Public Health Surveill 2020;
6:e18798.
7. Ge  ZY, Yang  LM, Xia  JJ, Fu  XH, Zhang  YZ. Possible aerosol
transmission of COVID‑19 and special precautions in dentistry.
J Zhejiang Univ Sci B 2020; 21:361‑8.
8. 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; 99:1030‑8.
9. Amato  A, Caggiano  M, Amato  M, Moccia  G, Capunzo  M,
De Caro  F. Infection control in dental practice during the
COVID‑19 pandemic. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2020; 17:4769.
10. Patil S, Moafa IH, Bhandi S, Jafer MA, Khan SS, Khan S, et al.
Dental care and personal protective measures for dentists and
non‑dental health care workers. Dis Mon 2020; 66:101056.
11. Gallagher  JE, Johnson  I, Verbeek  JH, Clarkson  JE, Innes  N.
Relevance and paucity of evidence: A  dental perspective on
personal protective equipment during the COVID‑19 pandemic.
Br Dent J 2020; 229:121‑4.
12. Ather  A, Patel  B, Ruparel  NB, Diogenes  A, Hargreaves  KM.
Coronavirus disease 19  (COVID‑19): Implications for clinical
dental care. J Endod 2020; 46:584‑95.
13. Alharbi  A, Alharbi  S, Alqaidi  S. Guidelines for dental care
provision during the COVID‑19 pandemic. Saudi Dent J 2020;
32:181‑6.