As dental practices reopen their practices during a global pandemic, the risk of 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) infection that dental hygienists face in providing dental care remains unknown. Estimating the occupational risk of COVID-19, and producing evidence on the types of infection control practices and dental practices that may affect COVID-19 risk, is therefore imperative. These findings could be used to describe the prevalence and incidence of COVID-19 among dental hygienists, determine what infection control steps dental hygienists take over time, describe dental hygienists' employment during the COVID-19 pandemic, and estimate whether infection control adherence in dental practice is related to COVID-19 incidence.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
6,976
No intervention.
American Dental Association
Chicago, Illinois, United States
COVID-19 probable or confirmed case
2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) case as confirmed by clinician and/or detection of SARS-CoV-2 antigen or antibody
Time frame: 18 months
Anxiety
Assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire for Depression and Anxiety (PHQ-4). Two items scored 0 to 3 (total score of 0-6), with higher numbers indicating greater anxiety.
Time frame: 12 months
Depression
Assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire for Depression and Anxiety (PHQ-4). Two items scored 0 to 3 (total score of 0-6), with higher numbers indicating greater depressive symptoms.
Time frame: 12 months
Dental practice infection control efforts
Self-reports of infection control efforts in the respondents' primary dental practices.
Time frame: 12 months
Personal protective equipment
Availability, frequency of use, and frequency of reuse of personal protective equipment
Time frame: 12 months
Employment status
Self-descriptions of current level of employment as a dental hygienist and reasons for non-employment.
Time frame: 12 months
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