Adherence to biosafety standards for Covid-19 among oral health professionals in Ponta Grossa-PR

Abstract

The aim of this research was to describe the adherence to biosafety standards to face Covid-19 among oral health professionals in the city of Ponta Grossa-PR. The cross-sectional and descriptive study was carried out with convenience sample of Dental Surgeons (DS), Technicians (OHT), and Oral Health Assistants (OHA) from public and private dental services on an outpatient basis. Data collection took place between August and October 2020, through an on-line questionnaire sent by email by the Dental Regional Council and social media. Of the 106 oral health professionals included, 79.2% were DS, 16% OHA, and 4.8% OHT. Most of them were not at risk for Covid-19 (90.6%), worked in primary care dental clinics (54%), and did not interrupt or leave the service (44.3%). In relation to care, 49.1% restricted care only in cases of urgency and emergency and 33% avoided procedures that generate aerosols. The majority adopted the use of face shield (75.5%), face mask N95 / PPF2S / or similar (62.3%), and waterproof apron (53.8%).