J Korean Acad Oral Health.  2021 Dec;45(4):198-203. 10.11149/jkaoh.2021.45.4.198.

Impact of COVID-19 on dental technicians

• Bae EJ

• KMID: 2524196
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.11149/jkaoh.2021.45.4.198

Abstract

Objectives
The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of COVID-19 on dental technicians and dental laboratories.
Methods
In June 2020, self-reported questionnaires were distributed to and completed by dental technicians who attended the Seoul Dental Technologist Association’s academic conference (n=210). The responses were cross analyzed with frequency analysis (α=0.05).
Results
Due to COVID-19, the number of employees has decreased to less than 20%, and sales of dental laboratories have decreased by 21-40%. On the Likert 5-point scale for individual precautions, ‘I wear a mask when using public transportation’ was the highest at 4.80. If infected with COVID-19, ‘my family’s infection is most concerned’ was the highest 3.89, but there was no significant difference between having children under the age of 13 in the family and having an elderly family over 65 years old (P>0.05).
Conclusions
To prevent infection by dental technicians, it is mandatory to check body temperature when going to work and refrain from eating while working. As COVID-19 continues for a long time, it is necessary to continuously investigate the status of infected persons among dental technicians and vaccination rates as health care workers.

Keyword

COVID-19; Dental laboratory; Dental technician; Infection

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Increase or decrease in sales due to COVID-19.

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  Fig. 2 Increase or decrease in employees due to COVID-19.

Reference

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