RESUMEN
Purpose: The COVID-19 pandemic has challenged dental professionals to provide appropriate care while using nationally recognized guidelines to minimize disease transmission. The purpose of this study was to investigate the current practices of dental hygienists in Idaho to better understand how their practices have been impacted by COVID-19 in comparison to national guidelines.Methods: Practicing dental hygienists licensed in Idaho were invited to participate in a 23-item web-based survey. Items included demographics, guidelines used, procedures employed in response to COVID-19, barriers encountered implementing protocols, and vaccination status. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data. A Chi-square test was used to test for association between demographics and national guidance used and vaccination status (p=.05).Results: Of the 1,200 dental hygienists e-mailed, 185 consented to participate for a response rate of 15.4%. Respondents reported that level 3 or higher filtration masks were worn for every patient (72.9%, n=113) as were gloves (95.5%, n=148) and eye protection with side shields (71.6%, n=111). Most respondents indicated that disposable gowns (68.4%, n=106) and washable gowns (39.4%, n=61) were not available. A majority (56.1%, n=87) indicated they had been vaccinated. Respondents who had been employed for >15 years were more likely to have been vaccinated (χ2 = 15.25, df = 1, p = 0.000) and were more likely to ask their patients if they had received the COVID-19 vaccine (χ2 = 7.99, df = 1, p=0.005).Conclusion: Infection control practices following national guidance were inconsistent among dental hygienists in Idaho. Further research focusing on factors influencing adherence to national guidance for COVID-19 is needed.
Asunto(s)
COVID-19 , Higienistas Dentales , Actitud del Personal de Salud , COVID-19/prevención & control , Vacunas contra la COVID-19 , Humanos , Idaho , Pandemias/prevención & control , Encuestas y CuestionariosRESUMEN
Purpose: Health science students have an increased source of stress due to the rigorous curriculum, high clinical expectations, and academic demands. The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of a 15-minute yoga intervention to reduce stress in entry-level dental hygiene students.Methods: First year dental hygiene students were invited to participate in the experimental study (n=32) and were randomly assigned to either the experimental or control group. The stress reduction intervention (gentle yoga movements, breathing, and meditation) was performed prior to each final exam for a total of six times. The control group proceeded with their usual pre-exam routines. Baseline and post-trial blood pressure, pulse and 10-item Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) data were recorded for both groups. Repeated measures of blood pressure and pulse were recorded before and after yoga for the experimental group and the control group prior to each exam. Data analyses included Paired-samples t-test, Independent-samples t-test and ANOVA, (p=0.05).Results: The main effect for yoga from pre- to post-session was statistically significant for blood pressure (p=0.02 systolic; p=0.02 diastolic) but not for pulse (p=0.23). Significant effects on blood pressure measures showed yoga movement sessions reduced stress however the effects sizes were small. The paired t-tests indicated the 10-item PSS values were significantly lower (p<0.00). Statistical significance of differential, beneficial effects of yoga versus control were not demonstrated.Conclusion: Fifteen-minutes of yoga movements had feasibility, compliance, and appeared to have positive effects related to stress reduction. No evidence of statistical significance was demonstrated compared to the control. Research on a larger sample of entry-level dental hygiene students using yoga movements over the course of a semester is recommended.