RESUMEN
@#The global COVID-19 Pandemic combined with nationwide economic depression and public fear had caused dental clinics in Malaysia to experience a significant reduction in patient visits with a potential impact on the socio-economic and psychological status of Malaysian private dentists. This study assesses the socio-economic and psychological impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on Malaysian private dentists. A cross-sectional online questionnaire included demographic profile, socioeconomic factors and psychological status was used. Participation was voluntary. Descriptive statistics on the three variables were generated. Pearson Chi-square test was used to check for significant difference (p<0.05). In all, 95 private dentists voluntarily participated. Male and female participants were equally represented, mostly in the 22-25 group (62%). The Job Insecurity Scale measurement showed 58% and 48.5% participants respectively, were socio-economically and psychologically affected. The Financial Threat Scale showed 44.4% of respondents were financially affected, while 51% (measured by the General health questionnaire) displayed affected health. The socio-economicpsychological aspect was found to be statistically significant (p =0.018). Within the limitation of sample size, participating private dentists were found to be socio-economically and psychologically affected by the COVID19 pandemic.
RESUMEN
O objetivo do presente estudo foi a partir de uma abordagem indutiva, utilizando um questionário fechado nos consultórios dentários que atendem a convênios odontológicos no município de Duque de Caxias (RJ), fazer o levantamento do perfil de relacionamento técnico-profissional entre esses profissionais e as empresas de Planos de Saúde Odontológicos. Dos 74 questionários respondidos, observou-se uma distribuição homogênea de 20% quanto ao tempo de formado, em cada faixa de tempo. O atendimento a mais de um plano de saúde se mostrou mais comum (88% da amostra). O aumento de volume de pacientes se destacou entre os pontos positivos (81%) e falta de clareza, quanto a valores diferenciados entre colegas (89%) e falta de reajuste financeiro e ou pagamento não compatível com o mercado (52%) como principais pontos negativos.
The aim of this study was an inductive approach through a close questionnaire applied in private dental offices that offer dental pre-payment assistance, in order to analyse the working relationship between dentists and private dental insurances in the City of Duque de Caxias (RJ). A sample of 74 questionnaires, were equally distributed (20% each), by graduation time. The attendance to more than one pre-payment oral health company insurance was the most common (88% of the sample). From the positive aspects, the patients increase were most mentioned (81%) and the lack of clarity about the different values paid between colleagues (89%) and lack of financial adjustment or payment not compatible with the market (52%) as the main negative points.