SHANGHAI, China: Given that SARS-CoV-2 originated in China, it is understandable that the nation’s emergency dental care providers have experienced an immense psychological burden since the virus was first discovered. A study of these workers has sought to better understand the exact way in which they have been affected by these experiences. The results of the study have confirmed the need for psychological support services during such difficult times.
To conduct the study, the researchers created a cross-sectional survey that was administered online between 3 and 10 April 2020 through the use of anonymised questionnaires. Participants were recruited from approximately 100 medical institutions across China with assistance from the emergency committee of the Chinese Stomatological Association, and 969 valid responses were collected.
By far the most common psychological issue reported was stress, and 66.2% of respondents stated that they had suffered from it as a result of the pandemic. Depression was cited by 13.4% of respondents, whereas 8.5% reported having a post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) caused by their work during this time. On the one hand anxiety affected 7.1% of responding dental professionals, whereas on the other hand 33.7% reported no psychological conditions resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Further analysis of the collected data showed that pre-existing physical disease was associated with a higher risk of depression and anxiety. In addition, the authors stated: “Having the feelings of fear, helplessness, or terror resulting from the possibility of contracting COVID-19 presented statistically significant differences in the psychological outcomes of depression, anxiety, perceived stress, and PTSD.”
“This research fills a gap in the literature on the psychological reactions of Chinese dental workers during a virus outbreak and lays the foundation for the establishment of the causal relationship between infectious diseases and the prevalence of psychiatric morbidity,” the authors noted.
They added: “Additionally, it helps improve programmes on psychological support for dental care workers and suggests a focus on preparation and interventions to aid psychological recovery after possible exposure to sources of infection.”
The study, titled “Psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on emergency dental care providers on the front lines in China”, was published online in the June 2021 issue of the International Dental Journal.
Tags:
GENEVA, Switzerland: The COVID-19 pandemic caused fatigue, frustration and emotional exhaustion among healthcare workers. This is evident in a new report ...
CHICAGO, US: Similarly to other dental professionals, dental hygienists have been put in the spotlight during the COVID-19 pandemic owing to the belief that...
BIRMINGHAM, UK: Across the UK, local lockdowns are proliferating as SARS-CoV-2 case numbers continue to increase. Though the initial nationwide lockdown ...
NEWCASTLE, UK: One of the main ways in which SARS-CoV-2 is communicated is through airborne respiratory droplets—droplets that can be dispersed as a ...
LONDON, UK: As the statutory regulator for all dental professionals across the UK, the General Dental Council’s (GDC’s) main aim is to maximise patient ...
LONDON, UK: Though the exact number of people who suffer from xerostomia is unclear, some studies estimate that as many as one in five of the population ...
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico/SPRING, Texas, U.S.: Mercury in dental amalgam is a hidden source of global mercury pollution, resulting from factors such as the ...
GENEVA, Switzerland: The SARS-CoV-2 outbreak is causing significant disruption to dental practice worldwide. Oral health professionals, dental associations ...
CHAMPIONSGATE, Fla., U.S.: In the interest of public health, the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology (IAOMT) has published a new research ...
LIVERPOOL/PLYMOUTH, UK: The connection between oral health and chronic disease has been increasingly supported by substantial evidence, revealing shared ...
Live webinar
Thu. 18 July 2024
8:00 pm EST (New York)
Live webinar
Tue. 6 August 2024
6:00 pm EST (New York)
Live webinar
Tue. 13 August 2024
7:00 pm EST (New York)
Live webinar
Wed. 21 August 2024
9:00 am EST (New York)
Dr. Jim Lai DMD, MSc(Perio), EdD, FRCD(C)
Live webinar
Wed. 28 August 2024
8:00 pm EST (New York)
Live webinar
Mon. 2 September 2024
5:00 am EST (New York)
Live webinar
Tue. 3 September 2024
11:00 am EST (New York)
To post a reply please login or register