Risk of exposure of dental personnel to covid-19 and their compliance with covid-19 safety guidance for dental practice
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Date
2021-11-30
Authors
Egbunah, U.P.
Orenuga, O.O.
Adeyemo, W.L.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Wolters Kluwer - Medknow
Abstract
Background: To curb the spread of the corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19), several guidelines for dental practice were proposed by dental practice regulating bodies. Assessing the level of compliance to these guidelines by dental personnel will provide an evidence-based report of their adherence to COVID-19 guidance and if improvement on this is required.
Aim: To assess the risk of exposure of dental personnel to COVID-19 in the dental facility and their level of compliance with COVID-19 guidance for dental practice.
Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted at the Dental Centre of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, (LUTH) Lagos, Nigeria. Participants were dental personnel (resident doctors/house officers, dental nurses, dental hygienists and dental technologists) at the Dental Centre, LUTH. COVID-19 risk assessment and compliance with COVID-19 dental practice guidance were assessed using a self-administered questionnaire.
Results: A total of 131 dental personnel aged 29.4+5.16 years participated in this study. High risk of COVID-19 exposure was noted in trainees in conservative dentistry, paediatric dentistry, oral and maxillofacial surgery, and in dental hygienists. Eight dental personnel (6.1%) reported a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19. Majority of included specialties reported a low (<50%) to moderate (>50% – <80%) level of compliance with the pre-treatment, during treatment and post treatment guidance.
Conclusion: Although dental personnel at the Dental Centre, LUTH had a high risk of exposure to COVID-19, they showed low to moderate compliance with pre-treatment, during treatment and post treatment guidance which led to a relatively high incidence of COVID-19 transmission in the dental clinic.
Keywords: Risk of exposure; compliance; COVID-19 guidance.
Description
Scholarly publications
Keywords
Risk of exposure , Compliance , Covid-19 guidance , Dental Professionals , Research Subject Categories::ODONTOLOGY
Citation
Egbunah UP, Orenuga OO, Adeyemo WL. Risk of exposure of dental personnel to covid-19 and their compliance with covid-19 safety guidance for dental practice. Niger Postgrad Med J 2021;28:247-254.https://www.npmj.org/text.asp?2021/28/4/247/331530