Imaging Sci Dent.
2023 Dec;53(4):365-373. 10.5624/isd.20230141.
Assessment of infection control in oral radiology during the COVID-19 outbreak: An international collaborative study
- Affiliations
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- 1Department of Dentistry, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Campus GV, Governador Valadares, Minas Gerais, Brazil
- 2Health Applied Science Post-Graduate Program, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Campus GV, Governador Valadares, Minas Gerais, Brazil
- 3Department of Oral Diagnosis, School of Dentistry of Piracicaba, State University of Campinas, Piracicaba, São Paulo, Brazil
- 4Department of Dentomaxillofacial Radiology, Faculty of Dentistry, Ankara University, Ankara, Turkey
- 5Department of Physical Education, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Campus GV, Governador Valadares, Minas Gerais, Brazil
- KMID: 2550099
- DOI: http://doi.org/10.5624/isd.20230141
Abstract
- Purpose
In the context of COVID-19, studies evaluating the adherence of dentists and dental students to infection control are relevant due to their high occupational exposure and risk, as well as their responsibility for disseminating information and good practices. This study evaluated the adherence of dentists and dental students to infection control in the oral radiology field in the setting of the COVID-19 pandemic on different continents.
Materials and Methods
This cross-sectional observational study involved individuals who performed intraoral radiographic examinations during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Questionnaire on Infection Control in Oral Radiology was administered virtually using a Google Form. Participants from different continents (the Americas, Africa, Europe, Asia, and Oceania) were recruited. Data were subjected to descriptive analysis and simple and multiple binary regression (5%).
Results
There were 582 valid answers, and 68.73% of the participants were from the Americas, 18.90% from Europe, and 12.37% from Asia. The median score for infection control protocols was 94 points for dental students and 104 points for dentists, and participants below the median were considered to have low adherence to infection control in oral radiology. Low access to infection control was found for 53.0% of dentists in the Americas, 34.0% from Europe, and 26.9% from Asia.
Conclusion
The adherence to infection control protocols in oral radiology was low even in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. The results may help improve the awareness of students and professionals, since oral radiology routines have the potential for transmitting COVID-19.
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