Characterization of the investigations of the International Scientific Meeting in northern Peru: Covid-19 context

During the Covid-19 pandemic many planned activities were virtualized. The objective of the work was to characterize the research presented at the International Scientific Meeting (ECI) of northern Peru. Quantitative, cross-sectional study, which included the evaluation of the characteristics of the s of the research papers presented at the Scientific Meeting. Of 67 investigations submitted, 64 were accepted. 65.6 % belonged to private universities, 32.81 % on thematic axis of social sciences, law and education, 54.69 % had a qualitative approach;32, 85 % with the participation of more than 3 authors, women as research leaders represented 46.9 %. 73.44 % were observational studies;87.5 % prospective, 81.25 % descriptive, 89.06 % cross-sectional. The investigations belonged mostly to professors from private universities, the participation of women in research increased, the most developed thematic axis was social, legal and education sciences, the majority was by more than three authors;The methodology was mostly observational, prospective, descriptive and cross-sectional.

Attitudes of Peruvian dentists toward absolute isolation. Design and validation of a scale in the time of COVID-19

Introduction: Rubber dam isolation is a dental procedu-re that ensures biosafety and the quality of restorative treatments;however, no appropriate tool is available to evaluate the topic in Peruvian reality. Objective: Design and validate a scale to evaluate the attitude of Peruvian dentists toward rubber dam isolation. Methods: An instrumental cross-sectional study was con-ducted. The scale was applied through a virtual questionnaire and then distributed on social networks to 279 dentists (143 women and 136 men) selected by intentional nonprobability sampling. Age ranged from 22 to 67 years. Results: Aiken’s V coefficient values were favorable for all items. Exploratory factor analysis showed the presence of a single factor. Confirmatory factor analysis suggested deletion of items 1 and 7. Reliability of the scale proved to be good. It was estimated with a Cronbach’s α coefficient of 0.71. Conclusions: The scale about attitudes of Peruvian dentists toward rubber dam isolation (Act-AA-Cov19) is a brief, valid and reliable measurement which may be used for research purposes. © 2022, Editorial Ciencias Medicas. All rights reserved.

Factors associated to Peruvian dentists’ attitudes towards rubber dam isolation in COVID-19 times

Introduction: Rubber dam isolation is a dental technique that increases the probability of successful treatment, especially in this pandemic. Aim: To characterize the attitudes of Peruvian dentists towards rubber dam insolation in times of COVID-19 pandemic and to identify factors associated with them. Methods: Observational and cross-sectional study using analytical techniques, carried out through a virtual survey of dentists in Peru. The Act-AA-Cov19 scale was used, the score was divided into the upper tertile (those in agreement) versus the other scores (comparison category);association statistics were obtained. Results: Of the 279 dentists, the importance of rubber dam isolation and use of personal protective equipment was the most accepted (96 % always agreed and 4 % almost always). The need to update knowledge about rubber dam isolation was associated with a better attitude towards the procedure (PRc: 1,52;95 % CI: 1,18-1.95;p value = 0,001);while the result was the opposite in graduates from private universities (PRc: 0,79;95 % CI: 0,66-0,95;p value = 0,011). Conclusion: The most widely accepted premise is about the importance of rubber dam isolation and use of personal protective equipment, followed by the fact that a saliva/blood-free work area facilitates the procedure. © 2021, Editorial Ciencias Medicas. All rights reserved.