International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

Research

13 pages, 385 KiB

Open AccessArticle

How Confinement and Back to Normal Affected the Well-Being and Thus Sleep, Headaches and Temporomandibular Disorders

by Juan Ignacio Rosales Leal, Cristian Sánchez Vaca, Aleksandra Ryaboshapka, Félix de Carlos Villafranca and Miguel Ángel Rubio Escudero

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(3), 2340; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20032340 - 28 Jan 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2199

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic is having negative consequences not only for people’s general health but also for the masticatory system. This article aimed to assess confinement and its new normal impact on well-being, sleep, headaches, and temporomandibular disorders (TMD). An anonymous survey was distributed [...] Read more.

The COVID-19 pandemic is having negative consequences not only for people’s general health but also for the masticatory system. This article aimed to assess confinement and its new normal impact on well-being, sleep, headaches, and temporomandibular disorders (TMD). An anonymous survey was distributed to a Spanish university community. Participants completed a well-being index (WHO-5), a questionnaire related to sleep quality (the BEARS test), a headache diagnostic test (the tension type headache (TTH) and migraine diagnosis test), and the DC-TMD questionnaire. Questions were addressed in three scenarios: before confinement, during confinement, and the new normal. A total of 436 responses were collected (70% women, 30% men). A reduction in well-being and sleep quality was recorded. Respondents reported more TTH and migraines during and after confinement. Overall, confinement and return to normal did not increase TMD symptoms, and only minor effects were observed, such as more intense joint pain and a higher incidence of muscle pain in women during confinement. Reduced well-being is correlated with sleep quality loss, headaches, and TMD symptoms. This study provides evidence that pandemics and confinement might have had a negative impact on population health. Well-being was strongly affected, as were sleep quality, depression risk, TTH, and migraine frequency. In contrast, the temporomandibular joint and muscles showed more resilience and were only slightly affected. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Oral Health, Dental Practice and COVID-19)

11 pages, 346 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Clinical-Epidemiological Profile of Dental Professionals Associated with COVID-19 Infection in Southern Peru: A Cross-Sectional Study

by Caroline Suarez-Cabello, Erick Valdivia and Andrea Vergara-Buenaventura

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(1), 672; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20010672 - 30 Dec 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2268

Abstract

Dental professionals have been identified as being at high risk for COVID-19 infection due to close contact with patients and the nature of dental treatments. However, the prevalence of infected dentists in Peru has not been determined. An online electronic survey was sent [...] Read more.

Dental professionals have been identified as being at high risk for COVID-19 infection due to close contact with patients and the nature of dental treatments. However, the prevalence of infected dentists in Peru has not been determined. An online electronic survey was sent to dentists registered with the College of Dentists of Arequipa to collect sociodemographic data, medical conditions, and employment characteristics during the COVID-19 pandemic. The clinical characteristics and adverse effects of dentists diagnosed with COVID-19 were also recorded. The overall prevalence of COVID-19 infection was 44%. The highest number of diagnosed patients ranged in age from 31 to 40 years (n = 111; 48.9%). A total of 45.9% of female and 41.6% of male dentists were diagnosed with COVID-19 (p = 0.425). A relationship was found between the district of origin and infection, and dentists working in the public sector during 2021 showed a greater trend of becoming infected (57.6%) (p < 0.05). The antigen swab test was the diagnostic test most frequently used (38%), and cough was the symptom most reported. Only 0.6% reported being hospitalized, 10.6% reported needing oxygen during hospitalization, and 0.6% were admitted to an intensive care unit. As in previous studies in other countries, the rate of COVID-19 infection among Peruvian dentists is high. It is recommended that dentists carry out infection control measures while ministries of health and dental associations take measures to ensure their safety. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Oral Health, Dental Practice and COVID-19)

13 pages, 710 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Operational Implications and Risk Assessment of COVID-19 in Dental Practices

by Saba Wajeeh, Abhishek Lal, Naseer Ahmed, Md. Ibrahim Khalil, Afsheen Maqsood, Akram Mojidea M Alshammari, Abdulelah Zaid Alshammari, Meshari Musallam Mohammed Alsharari, Abdulelah Hamdan Alrushaydan, Abdulaziz Fandi Alruwaili and Mohammad Khursheed Alam

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(22), 12244; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph182212244 - 22 Nov 2021

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3522

Abstract

The unprecedented situation of the coronavirus pandemic has impacted the entire world, with dental practice being significantly affected. In this study, we aim to evaluate the operational implications and risk assessment of the coronavirus in dental practice. This observational study comprised the electronic [...] Read more.

The unprecedented situation of the coronavirus pandemic has impacted the entire world, with dental practice being significantly affected. In this study, we aim to evaluate the operational implications and risk assessment of the coronavirus in dental practice. This observational study comprised the electronic distribution of two surveys, one to patients and the second to dental professionals. The first questionnaire consisted of demographics along with 15 closed-ended questions. The second questionnaire consisted of demographics along with 43 questions from eight domains: financial impact, psychological impact, patient satisfaction, hygiene, patient management, COVID-19 lockdown, perspective, and practicing dentistry after the COVID-19 pandemic. The statistical analysis was performed using SPSS-25. A linear regression test was applied to assess the effect of the dependent variable (patient’s satisfaction with the dental practice) on independent variables (age, gender, education). The ANOVA test was applied to assess the effect of the independent variables (financial impact, psychological impact, patient satisfaction, hygiene, patient management, lockdown, perspective, and post-COVID-19) on the dependent variables (age, gender, education, experience of dentists, qualification of dentists). A total of 711 patients and dental professionals participated in this study, with a response rate of 88.87%. Approximately 67.9% of the patients felt comfortable in the dental clinic, with 74.5% being satisfied with the dental clinic’s services. The majority (77.4%) of the dentists were psychologically affected. Many of the participants chose to use masks, gowns, respiratory equipment, and face shields for protection. Teledentistry was preferred by the majority of dentists in non-emergency cases. Many of the dentists chose alternative procedures to minimize the generation of aerosols. The majority of the dentists suggested changes in the dynamics of dentistry in the post-COVID era, such as the suggestion that the management of the finances of a dental practice along with infection control protocols should be practiced more optimally. Patients and dental professionals were well aware of the necessary precautionary measures required to combat the coronavirus, as well as the implications of different operational measures along with performing risk assessment, keeping in mind the changing dynamics of dentistry. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Oral Health, Dental Practice and COVID-19)

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10 pages, 1418 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Impact and Perspectives of Pediatric Dental Care during the COVID-19 Pandemic Regarding Unvaccinated Children: A Cross-Sectional Survey

by Nelly Schulz-Weidner, Maximiliane Amelie Schlenz, Norbert Krämer, Sarra Boukhobza and Katrin Bekes

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(22), 12117; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph182212117 - 18 Nov 2021

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2297

Abstract

The pandemic caused by the COVID-19 virus has led to enormous challenges in pediatric dental care. In contrast to adults, many children are without any symptoms of disease if infected with COVID-19 and are not vaccinated. The aim of this study was to [...] Read more.

The pandemic caused by the COVID-19 virus has led to enormous challenges in pediatric dental care. In contrast to adults, many children are without any symptoms of disease if infected with COVID-19 and are not vaccinated. The aim of this study was to conduct an inquiry into the perspective of pediatric dentists in Germany towards the impact of COVID-19 on daily patient care during the lockdowns caused by the pandemic. All members of the Germany Society of Pediatric Dentistry were invited to participate in an online survey. The questionnaire focused on five topics: safety measures, well-being/knowledge, patient care, prospects, and demographic data. A total of 549 pediatric dentists participated (58.11% females, 8.2% males, 0.18% inter/diverse, and 33.51% no answer). In total, 75.2% of the dental clinics were open during the first lockdown (LD1) and 78.1% during the second lockdown (LD2). In LD1, only 22.2% were operating at full capacity, while 40.1% were open with restrictions, and 11.8% only offered emergency treatment. In LD2, 71.2% of practices were operating again and resumed offering all treatment methods. A significant decrease in pediatric patients was reported due to the fact of COVID-19. Furthermore, measures, such as oral hygiene and recall appointments, were reduced. Measures that were performed after the lockdown were mainly aerosol-generating procedures and extractions as well as general anesthesia or sedation. The increased willingness to treat in the second lockdown has shown that pediatric dentists have adapted to the pandemic conditions, which seems to be of great importance, especially in view of the problem of unvaccinated children. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Oral Health, Dental Practice and COVID-19)

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17 pages, 399 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Delivery of Health Care by Spanish Dental Hygienists in Private and Public Dental Services during the COVID-19 De-Escalation Phase (June 2020): A Cross-Sectional Study

by Antonio Javier Expósito-Delgado, Verónica Ausina-Márquez, María Victoria Mateos-Moreno, Elena Martínez-Sanz, María del Carmen Trullols-Casas, María Eulalia Llamas-Ortuño, José María Blanco-González, Teresa Almerich-Torres, Manuel Bravo and Yolanda Martínez-Beneyto

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(16), 8298; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18168298 - 5 Aug 2021

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3917

Abstract

Background: The first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Spain posed a major challenge for Spanish dental professionals. The objective of this work is to describe the dental hygienists’ work status and employment patterns during the de-escalation phase in order to analyse the [...] Read more.

Background: The first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Spain posed a major challenge for Spanish dental professionals. The objective of this work is to describe the dental hygienists’ work status and employment patterns during the de-escalation phase in order to analyse the standards of knowledge, compliance with official recommendations, and dental activities both in the public health service and in the private sector. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire was answered by Spanish dental hygienists via WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram. The questionnaire was piloted before it was distributed and carried out during June 2020. Results: Here, 517 dental hygienists were surveyed, of which 86.2% followed the official recommendations to avoid contagion and 63.8% agreed with the gradual return to work by limiting the use of aerosols. Private dental hygienists identified more with returning to work without restrictions (14.5%) versus those working for the public service (1.2%) (p < 0.005). Conclusions: Dental hygienists’ return to work has involved different strategies, aimed at controlling infection and guaranteeing the safety of patients and the rest of the dental team. The availability of personal protective equipment, the adaptation of clinical infrastructure, and patient care management have differed between professionals working in the private and public sectors. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Oral Health, Dental Practice and COVID-19)

Review

Jump to: Research, Other

37 pages, 879 KiB

Open AccessReview

Psychological Impact of COVID-19 in the Setting of Dentistry: A Review Article

by Juan Carlos De Haro, Eva María Rosel, Inmaculada Salcedo-Bellido, Ester Leno-Durán, Pilar Requena and Rocío Barrios-Rodríguez

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(23), 16216; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192316216 - 4 Dec 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2190

Abstract

The worldwide pandemic has exposed healthcare professionals to a high risk of infection, exacerbating the situation of uncertainty caused by COVID-19. The objective of this review was to evaluate the psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on dental professionals and their patients. A [...] Read more.

The worldwide pandemic has exposed healthcare professionals to a high risk of infection, exacerbating the situation of uncertainty caused by COVID-19. The objective of this review was to evaluate the psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on dental professionals and their patients. A literature review was conducted using Medline-Pubmed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases, excluding systematic reviews, narratives, meta-analyses, case reports, book chapters, short communications, and congress papers. A modified version of the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) was used to evaluate the quality of the selected studies. The search retrieved 3879 articles, and 123 of these were selected for the review (7 longitudinal and 116 cross-sectional studies). Elevated anxiety levels were observed in dental professionals, especially in younger and female professionals. Except for orthodontic treatments, patients reported a high level of fear that reduced their demand for dentist treatment to emergency cases alone. The results suggest that the COVID-19 pandemic has had psychological and emotional consequences for dental professionals and their patients. Further research is necessary to evaluate the persistence of this problem over time. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Oral Health, Dental Practice and COVID-19)

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14 pages, 1645 KiB

Open AccessReview

Prevalence of Anxiety in Dental Students during the COVID-19 Outbreak: A Meta-Analysis

by Javier Santabarbara, Nahia Idoiaga, Naiara Ozamiz-Etxebarria and Juan Bueno-Notivol

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(20), 10978; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph182010978 - 19 Oct 2021

Cited by 30 | Viewed by 4580

Abstract

Background: Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the psychological state of university students has been a cause for concern. In particular, odontology students have experienced symptoms of anxiety due to the closure of universities and the suspension of clinical training. Methods: Medline [...] Read more.

Background: Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the psychological state of university students has been a cause for concern. In particular, odontology students have experienced symptoms of anxiety due to the closure of universities and the suspension of clinical training. Methods: Medline via PubMed was searched for studies on the prevalence of anxiety in dental undergraduates, published from 1 December 2019 to 1 August 2021. Results: A total of fifteen studies were included in this review. Our results show a prevalence of anxiety of 35% reported by dental students, which was independent of gender, response rate or methodological quality. The only significant finding was a lower prevalence of anxiety in studies located in Europe compared to those located in other continents. Conclusions: The results suggest dental students are experiencing significant levels of anxiety during this COVID-19 pandemic and that there seem to be differences between students from different regions of the world. Therefore, it is important to help dental students psychologically as the pandemic situation continues. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Oral Health, Dental Practice and COVID-19)

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Other

Jump to: Research, Review

7 pages, 1256 KiB

Open AccessBrief Report

Impact of Oral Rinsing with Octenidine Based Solution on SARS-CoV-2 Loads in Saliva of Infected Patients an Exploratory Study

by Ralf Smeets, Susanne Pfefferle, Henning Büttner, Johannes K. Knobloch and Marc Lütgehetmann

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(9), 5582; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19095582 - 4 May 2022

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2064

Abstract

Objective: In this study, the in-vivo effect of an antiseptic mouth rinse with Octenisept plus phenoxyethanol (OCT + PE) on the oral SARS-CoV-2 load was investigated. Material and Methods: In eight COVID-19 patients, saliva samples were obtained before mouth rinsing and at five [...] Read more.

Objective: In this study, the in-vivo effect of an antiseptic mouth rinse with Octenisept plus phenoxyethanol (OCT + PE) on the oral SARS-CoV-2 load was investigated. Material and Methods: In eight COVID-19 patients, saliva samples were obtained before mouth rinsing and at five time points post rinsing with OCT + PE (n = 47 saliva samples in total). SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected and quantified by RT-qPCR and virus isolation in cell culture was performed to assess for infectivity. Results: Immediately after mouth rinsing (1 min), a significant reduction of the SARS-CoV-2 RNA loads in saliva was achieved (p = 0.03) with 7/8 participants having SARS-CoV-2 RNA levels undetectable by RT-qPCR. At later time points, RNA levels returned to baseline levels in all study participants. Infectivity of saliva samples was demonstrated by successful virus isolation from saliva samples collected at later time points. Conclusions: This study highlights that saliva samples from COVID-19 patients are infectious and demonstrates that mouth rinsing with OCT + PE temporarily leads to a significant reduction of the SARS-CoV-2 load in saliva. Clinical relevance: Mouth rinsing with OCT + PE could provide a simple, rapid, and efficient method for SARS-CoV-2 infection prevention, particularly in the field of dental and respiratory medicine Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Oral Health, Dental Practice and COVID-19)

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