Comparison of the Frequency in Changing and Using Personal Protective Equipment Among Dental Staff After Coronavirus Disease 2019.

Abstract

Objective: This study was conducted to identify changes in the personal protective equipment (PPE)-wearing behaviour of dental staff after the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in Korea.

Methods: This study used a self-administered questionnaire for 257 dental staff (dentists, dental hygienists and other assistants) in regions of Korea. The questionnaire investigated the change in the frequency of wearing of PPE after COVID-19 (masks, gloves, goggles, face shields and protective clothing), and the PPE change cycle of dental staff compared with that before COVID-19.

Results: In the case of masks, if there was an infection control manager, the change in wearing was 4.583(1.658-12.667) times higher. In case of goggles and face shields, those with infection control education experienced a 2.982(1.087-8.178) increase in wearing these. Regarding protective clothing, it was 3.831(1.537-9.553) times higher when there was an infection control manager and it was 3.103(1.481-6.504) times higher when there was a visit to a patient with confirmed COVID-19.

Conclusions: It is necessary to prepare guidelines for wearing PPE in consideration of the type of infectious disease and the institution's characteristics, to periodically conduct infection control education to maintain this state of alert, and to prepare for personal protection to prevent the spread of new infectious diseases.