Kajal Kartika, Mohammadnezhad Masoud
School of Dentistry and Oral Health, Fiji National University, Suva, Fiji.
School of Public Health and Primary Health Care, Fiji National University, Suva, Fiji.
J Int Soc Prev Community Dent. 2022 Jun 29;12(3):376-384. doi: 10.4103/jispcd.JISPCD_73_22. eCollection 2022 May-Jun.
COVID-19 has created a significant impact on dentists and oral health professionals. This research aimed to explore the perspective of dental officers (DOs) and dental managers (DMs) on behavioral preventative strategies and recommendations for preventing the virus transmission in the dental clinics in Fiji.
This qualitative study was conducted among DOs and DMs who worked in nine private dental clinics, eight government dental clinics, and one School of Dentistry and Oral Health clinic (SDOH), in the Central Division, Fiji between August 9 and September 12, 2021. The participants were selected using purposive sampling method using the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Self-developed semi-structured open-ended questionnaires were used for data collection through in-depth interviews via zoom. Manual thematic analysis of the data was conducted.
Thirty DOs and 17 DMs participated in this study. Seven themes emerged from data analysis: Risk perception-COVID-19 versus dentistry; Staff safety, satisfaction, and motivation; Breaking the chain of infection transmission; Adaptability, and acceptance; Shared responsibility; Roles and knowledge; and Importance of good planning. Majority of participants felt that dental professionals are at high risk, and hence, need to take extra precautionary measures. Participants also stated that more care should be provided to patients by accepting the situation and moving forward.
This study highlighted the importance of dentists in preventing disease transmission in a dental setting. Continuation with the protocols and strategies gave the participants more sense of protection. The importance of good planning, accepting the situation, and moving forward was highlighted. Future research is recommended in other divisions and other health-care professionals can be included.
新冠疫情对牙医和口腔健康专业人员产生了重大影响。本研究旨在探讨牙医保管员（DOs）和牙科管理人员（DMs）对行为预防策略以及斐济牙科诊所预防病毒传播建议的看法。
本定性研究于2021年8月9日至9月12日在斐济中央分区的九家私立牙科诊所、八家政府牙科诊所和一家牙科学院及口腔健康诊所（SDOH）工作的牙医保管员和牙科管理人员中进行。采用目的抽样法，根据纳入和排除标准选取参与者。通过Zoom进行深入访谈，使用自行编制的半结构化开放式问卷收集数据。对数据进行手动主题分析。
30名牙医保管员和17名牙科管理人员参与了本研究。数据分析得出七个主题：新冠疫情与牙科的风险认知；员工安全、满意度和积极性；打破感染传播链；适应性和接受度；共同责任；角色与知识；以及良好规划的重要性。大多数参与者认为牙科专业人员面临高风险，因此需要采取额外的预防措施。参与者还表示，应通过接受现状并向前推进，为患者提供更多护理。
本研究强调了牙医在牙科环境中预防疾病传播的重要性。继续执行协议和策略让参与者更有安全感。强调了良好规划、接受现状并向前推进的重要性。建议在其他分区开展进一步研究，并纳入其他医疗保健专业人员。
