General Labor Well-Being in Latin American Dentists during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

This study aimed to determine the general labor well-being of Latin American dentists according to sociodemographic characteristics during the COVID-19 pandemic. A cross-sectional study was conducted in a final sample of 2214 participants from 11 countries. A validated online questionnaire on general work well-being was used (data collection period from 1 June to 10 July 2021), containing two dimensions: psychosocial well-being and collateral effects. The sociodemographic characteristics of the dentists and their perception of the economic impact of the pandemic were also recorded. A multivariate linear regression analysis was performed (hierarchical regression model) to evaluate the joint effect of the explanatory variables on labor well-being and the changes in the variance between each model. A score of psychosocial well-being of 233.6 + 40.2 and collateral effects of 45 + 20.1 was found. Psychosocial well-being was associated with sex, country of origin, academic training achieved, type of dental activity, and perceived impact during the pandemic (p < 0.05). Somatization was frequently manifested through back pain (88.2%) and muscular tensions (87.2%). Women, those who worked 41 or more hours and had between 1 to 15 years of professional experience presented a greater collateral effect (p < 0.001). The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic a year and a half after it began on the labor well-being of Latin American dentists was evidenced with important interactions with social characteristics.

General Labor Well-Being in Latin American Dentists during the COVID-19 Pandemic

This study aimed to determine the general labor well-being of Latin American dentists according to sociodemographic characteristics during the COVID-19 pandemic. A cross-sectional study was conducted in a final sample of 2214 participants from 11 countries. A validated online questionnaire on general work well-being was used (data collection period from 1 June to 10 July 2021), containing two dimensions: psychosocial well-being and collateral effects. The sociodemographic characteristics of the dentists and their perception of the economic impact of the pandemic were also recorded. A multivariate linear regression analysis was performed (hierarchical regression model) to evaluate the joint effect of the explanatory variables on labor well-being and the changes in the variance between each model. A score of psychosocial well-being of 233.6 + 40.2 and collateral effects of 45 + 20.1 was found. Psychosocial well-being was associated with sex, country of origin, academic training achieved, type of dental activity, and perceived impact during the pandemic (p < 0.05). Somatization was frequently manifested through back pain (88.2%) and muscular tensions (87.2%). Women, those who worked 41 or more hours and had between 1 to 15 years of professional experience presented a greater collateral effect (p < 0.001). The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic a year and a half after it began on the labor well-being of Latin American dentists was evidenced with important interactions with social characteristics.

Impact of mandatory social isolation measures due to the COVID-19 pandemic on the subjective well-being of Latin American and Caribbean dentists.

BACKGROUND: With the spread of the COVID-19 virus, containment measures such as home confinement were implemented, generating stress, anxiety, depression and aggravation of pre-existing diseases in the population, including dentists, who have also been affected due to the risk involved in practicing their profession. Objective: To determine the impact of mandatory social isolation measures on the subjective well-being of Latin American and Caribbean dentists during the community quarantine due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A Cross-sectional study in a sample of 1195 dentists from 21 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean. The main outcome was Subjective Well-Being, evaluated through the World Health Organization Well-Being Index (WHO-5). In addition, sociodemographic characteristics, variables related to the community quarantine due to the COVID-19 pandemic and health variables were considered. A descriptive, bivariate and multivariate (multiple linear regression) analysis was performed to observe the behavior of the variables. RESULTS: A multiple linear regression analysis was performed, where all the variables included within dimensions, were distributed in a single model, observing an R2% of 9.000 (p<0.001), where the R2% change was significant (p<0.001) and a constant of 44.190; likewise, within this model, the variable follow-up of preventive measures against COVID-19 reported an unstandardized regression coefficient (b) of 2. 316 (95%CI:1.133-3.499;p<0.001), the self-perceived level of concern against COVID-19 obtained a (b) of -5.470 (95%CI:-7.509--3.430; p<0.001), the biological sex variable manifested a (b) of -5.417 (95%CI: - 1.157-1.910; p<0.001); finally, the level of economic income during compulsory social isolation presented a (b)=5.354 (CI95%:3.461- 7.247; p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: An association was found between subjective well-being and variables related to the social impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, such as following preventive measures, concern about the pandemic and economic factors (decrease in income level), in addition to biologic sex. Follow-up strategies are required for these dental professionals, considering that social isolation measures have continued in many of the countries. Key words:Quarantine, Coronavirus infections, WHO-5, Cross-sectional studies, Latin America, Caribbean Region.

Perceived stress and subjective well-being of COVID-19 confinement in Latin American pediatric dentists and dental students: A cross sectional study

Aim: The COVID-19 pandemic, the first registered in the last 100 years, triggered fear and uncertainty, with manifestations related to stress, anxiety, and depression, mainly in health professionals. The study aimed to evaluate the psychological impact of the community quarantine, implemented due to the COVID-19 pandemic, in pediatric dentists and pediatric dentistry graduate students in Latin America. Materials and Methods: Convenience sample made up of 139 pediatric dentists and postgraduate pediatric dentistry students from different Latin American countries, who were asked to fill out a questionnaire, submitted electronically, with prior authorization of participation through an informed consent. The anonymity of the participants was protected using identification codes, and only their email address was requested for subsequent follow-up. Results: The multivariate model shows an association between the value of the PSS-14 v25 questionnaire and the different study variables;thus, the variables—quality of sleep (P ≤ 0.001), number of biosafety measures (P≤0.02), age (P = 0.04), and perception of their state of health (P = 0.03)—were statistically significant in the perceived stress and subjective well-being, caused by COVID-19 lockdown. In the same way, in the most representative demographic variables related to the affective and social support perceived by the participant, it was observed that, with increasing age, there is a decrease in perceived affective support and, consequently, in participants with mandatory quarantine and time restriction;there is a perception of not having emotional support. Conclusion: The disease caused by COVID-19 has modified the habits and quality of life of all professionals in the health field. The psychological impact that the community quarantine implemented due to the COVID-19 pandemic has produced is evident, as older and female individuals more frequently present signs of stress and anxiety, manifested by fear and uncertainty.

Perceived Stress in Dentists and Dental Students of Latin America and the Caribbean during the Mandatory Social Isolation Measures for the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study.

This study aims to determine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, specifically considering the mandatory social isolation measures implemented, on the perceived stress of a sample of dentists and dental students from Latin America and the Caribbean, as well as the associated sociodemographic and pandemic-related variables. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with a sample of 2036 dentists and dental students (1433 women). For the main outcome, the 14-item Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-14) was used. The survey also questioned sociodemographic aspects, questions on the COVID-19 pandemic, health variables, and habits. Descriptive, bivariate, and multivariate analyses (linear regression) were applied to observe the factors associated with perceived stress. The PSS-14 mean score was 24.76 (±11.76). Hierarchical regression models showed significant variables associated with the PSS-14 scores: income level during mandatory social isolation, having older adults under care during mandatory social isolation, self-perceived level of concern regarding COVID-19, self-perceived health, Coffee consumption during mandatory social isolation. In general terms, the pandemic has influenced the personal, social, labor, and everyday life of dental staff and affected the mental health of this population specifically when perceived stress is considered. Public policies, strategies, and mental health surveillance systems are required for this population.