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Research ArticleCritical Issues Facing the Dental Hygiene Profession
Open Access

COVID-19 Prevalence and Related Practices among Dental Hygienists in the United States

Cameron G. Estrich, JoAnn R. Gurenlian, Ann Battrell, Sue K. Bessner, Ann Lynch, Matthew Mikkelsen, Rachel Morrissey, Marcelo W. B. Araujo and Marko Vujicic
American Dental Hygienists' Association February 2021, 95 (1) 6-16;
Cameron G. Estrich
Health Research Analyst, Evidence Synthesis and Translation Research, American Dental Association Science & Research Institute, LLC, Chicago, IL, USA.
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  • For correspondence: estrichc@ada.org
JoAnn R. Gurenlian
Professor and Graduate Program Director, Department of Dental Hygiene, Idaho State University, Pocatello, ID, USA.
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Ann Battrell
Chief Executive Officer, American Dental Hygienists’ Association, Chicago, IL, USA.
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Sue K. Bessner
past Director of Professional Development, American Dental Hygienists’ Association, Chicago, IL, USA.
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Ann Lynch
Director of Education and Advocacy, American Dental Hygienists’ Association, Chicago, IL, USA.
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Matthew Mikkelsen
Manager, Education Surveys, Health Policy Institute, American Dental Association, Chicago, IL, USA.
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Rachel Morrissey
Research Analyst, Education, Health Policy Institute, American Dental Association, Chicago, IL, USA.
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Marcelo W. B. Araujo
Chief Science Officer, American Dental Association, Science & Research Institute, Chicago, IL, USA.
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Marko Vujicic
Chief Economist and Vice President, Health Policy Institute, American Dental Association, Chicago, IL, USA.
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Abstract

Purpose: Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, health care professionals have been challenged to provide appropriate preventive and therapeutic measures while using precautions to minimize disease transmission. The purpose of this study was to estimate the prevalence of COVID-19 among United States (US) dental hygienists, describe infection prevention and control procedures and any associated trends in mental health.

Methods: Registered dental hygienists (RDHs) licensed in the US were invited to participate in a 30-question web-based survey. COVID-19 infection items included probable and confirmed results, COVID-19 related symptoms experienced in the last month, and level of concern about COVID-19 transmission to patients and themselves. The validated Patient Health Questionnaire 4 screened respondents for depression or anxiety. Personal protective equipment (PPE) use when treating patients was assessed. The research protocol and survey were approved by the American Dental Association IRB and registered at clinicaltrials.gov (NCT04542915). Kruskal-Wallis and X2 tests were used to test for associations between PPE use, PPE supply, mental health symptoms, and concern about COVID-19 transmission.

Results: As of October 8, 2020, a total of 4,776 dental hygienists from all 50 states and Puerto Rico participated in the study. Respondents reported elevated symptoms of anxiety and depression. Of the respondents, 3.1% (n=149) had ever tested positive or been diagnosed with COVID-19. The majority of respondents (99.1%; n=3,328) who practiced dental hygiene reported their primary dental practice had enhanced infection prevention or control efforts in response to the pandemic. PPE use was significantly associated with years of experience as a dental hygienist, level of concern about COVID-19, and level of PPE supplies available (p-values<0.01), but not type of dental practice (p-value 0.1).

Conclusion: As of October 2020, the estimated prevalence rate of dental hygienists in the US having had COVID-19 was low. There is a need for further support for dental hygienists’ use of PPE and mental health.

  • SARS-CoV-2
  • COVID-19
  • occupational health
  • infection control
  • personal protective equipment
  • dental hygienists
  • Received December 17, 2020.
  • Accepted January 8, 2021.
  • Copyright © 2021 The American Dental Hygienists’ Association

This article is open access and may not be copied, distributed, or modified without written permission from the American Dental Hygienists’ Association.

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American Dental Hygienists' Association: 95 (1)
American Dental Hygienists' Association
Vol. 95, Issue 1
February 2021
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COVID-19 Prevalence and Related Practices among Dental Hygienists in the United States
Cameron G. Estrich, JoAnn R. Gurenlian, Ann Battrell, Sue K. Bessner, Ann Lynch, Matthew Mikkelsen, Rachel Morrissey, Marcelo W. B. Araujo, Marko Vujicic
American Dental Hygienists' Association Feb 2021, 95 (1) 6-16;

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COVID-19 Prevalence and Related Practices among Dental Hygienists in the United States
Cameron G. Estrich, JoAnn R. Gurenlian, Ann Battrell, Sue K. Bessner, Ann Lynch, Matthew Mikkelsen, Rachel Morrissey, Marcelo W. B. Araujo, Marko Vujicic
American Dental Hygienists' Association Feb 2021, 95 (1) 6-16;
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Keywords

  • SARS-CoV-2
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  • occupational health
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