Perspectives from Dentists, Dental Assistants, Students, and Patients on Dental Care Adapted to the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Survey

Maximiliane Amelie Schlenz, Alexander Schmidt, Bernd Wöstmann, Andreas May, Hans-Peter Howaldt, Dennis Albert, Doreen Ziedorn, Norbert Krämer and Nelly Schulz-Weidner
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Maximiliane Amelie Schlenz: Dental Clinic—Department of Prosthodontics, Justus Liebig University, Schlangenzahl 14, 35392 Giessen, Germany
Alexander Schmidt: Dental Clinic—Department of Prosthodontics, Justus Liebig University, Schlangenzahl 14, 35392 Giessen, Germany
Bernd Wöstmann: Dental Clinic—Department of Prosthodontics, Justus Liebig University, Schlangenzahl 14, 35392 Giessen, Germany
Andreas May: Department of Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery, Justus Liebig University, Klinikstrasse 33, 35392 Giessen, Germany
Hans-Peter Howaldt: Department of Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery, Justus Liebig University, Klinikstrasse 33, 35392 Giessen, Germany
Dennis Albert: Institute of Hygiene and Environmental Medicine, Justus Liebig University, Friedrichstrasse 16, 35392 Giessen, Germany
Doreen Ziedorn: Institute of Hygiene and Environmental Medicine, Justus Liebig University, Friedrichstrasse 16, 35392 Giessen, Germany
Norbert Krämer: Dental Clinic—Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Justus Liebig University, Schlangenzahl 14, 35392 Giessen, Germany
Nelly Schulz-Weidner: Dental Clinic—Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Justus Liebig University, Schlangenzahl 14, 35392 Giessen, Germany

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 8, 1-12

Abstract: Dental care has been affected by SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) worldwide. In contrast to other dental clinics, the Justus-Liebig-University Giessen (Germany) decided not to limit dental treatment to emergencies alone, but to continue dental care for all patients, with increased safety measures. As such, health care professionals may be exposed to additional physical and mental stress. The aim of this study was to assess the perspectives of all persons involved in dental care (dentists, dental assistants, students, and patients) regarding the aspects of safety measures, anxiety about self-infection and infecting others, and other prospects in the period March to December 2020 using a questionnaire. Data collection was performed between 14 December 2020 and 23 January 2021. A total of 35 dentists (response rate of 79.5%), 23 dental assistants (65.7%), 84 students (80%), and 51 patients (21.8%) completed the survey. The patients did not notice any changes in the care received. Dentists and dental assistants reported a higher workload due to additional safety measures. The majority of dentists, students, and patients agreed that normal patient care was maintained. One-third of dental assistants would have preferred emergency treatment alone and expressed significantly higher anxiety about COVID-19 infection than all other groups ( p < 0.05). In conclusion, all groups showed a predominantly positive perspective on dental care, and anxiety about self-infection and infecting others was especially low. However, additional measures are time-consuming and compound daily patient care. This concept, based on well-established infection control, might be a viable proposal for current and future pandemics.

Keywords: dentistry; health care; questionnaires; COVID-19; coronavirus; pandemics; patient care; dental students; dental assistants; dentists (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (5)

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