Pre-dental treatment screening in Indonesia during the COVID-19 pandemic: a questionnaire survey of dental practitioners.

BACKGROUND: Dental practitioners have a high risk of contracting COVID-19 during the treatment of patients because of exposure to airborne droplets. However, the application of pre-procedure treatment screening in dental practices in Indonesia varied during the pandemic. The purpose of this study was to investigate the use of updated pre-procedure dental treatment protocols and procedures among dental practitioners in Indonesia. METHODS: This study consisted of dentists registered as members of the Indonesian Dental Association who attended the Indonesian Dental Association webinar series in 2021. All the participants completed a questionnaire survey. The participants, who were from various regions in Indonesia, were granted password-protected access to a URL hosting the questionnaire. The questionnaire collected demographic information and contained questions on adherence to updated protocols and patient screening procedures, to which the respondents answered "Yes" or "No". For the analysis, the participants were divided into three groups based on the type of facility where they were employed: public (government) hospitals, private hospitals, or university hospitals (dental schools). A chi-square test was used to investigate the association between professional background and the implementation of updated protocols, including pre-procedure dental treatment screening. A value of P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: The age range of the participants was 20 - 60 years. The participants worked in facilities in 32 provinces in Indonesia. In total, there were 5,323 participants (males: n = 829; females: n = 4,494). In terms of professional backgrounds, 2,171, 2,867, and 285 participants were employed in government hospitals, private hospitals, and dental faculties, respectively. Among 5,232 participants who implemented updated COVID-19 prevention protocols, 5,053 (98%) participants performed pre-surgery procedures Among 151 participants who did not implement updated COVID-19 prevention protocols, 133 (88%) individuals carried out pre-rinse procedures. CONCLUSIONS: Almost all the dental practitioners employed in government hospitals, private hospitals, and dental faculties in Indonesia performed pre-surgery patient screening procedures. There was an agreement between the dental professionals in all three settings on the need for COVID-19 pre-treatment screening procedures in dental practices during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Efficacy of World Health Organization-recommended homemade hand sanitizer against bacteria and fungus

Handwashing is among the best practices to prevent the transmission of various diseases especially during the pandemic. Handwashing with soap can reduce respiratory tract infections. The World Health Organization (WHO) released guidelines for making homemade hand sanitizer. Objective: This study aimed to analyze the effectiveness of antibacterial handrub, as recommended by WHO, containing ethanol, hydrogen peroxide, and glycerol in varying concentrations against bacteria and fungus. Methods: This experimental laboratory study was designed to assay the efficacy of hand sanitizer ingredients—96% ethanol, 3% hydrogen peroxide, and 98% glycerol, as recommended by WHO—against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Candida albicans. Commercial hand rubs were used in this study for comparison. Result: Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) testing showed that the WHO hand rub at 25% concentration inhibited E. coli and S. aureus growth, while 12,5% concentration inhibited C. albicans. Conclusion: The WHO-recommended homemade hand sanitizer containing ethanol, hydrogen peroxide, and glycerol at a concentration of 50% is effective in eliminating Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and concentration of 25% is effective on Candida albicans. Further study is needed to analyse these materials against other bacteria and viruses. Keywords: Antibacterial agent;Candida albicans;Escherichia coli;hand sanitizer;Staphylococcus aureus

Satisfaction Level of the Oral Medicine Patients Using Teledentistry During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Factor Analysis.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this article is to describe oral medicine patients' satisfaction level with teledentistry services during COVID-19 pandemic by a factor analysis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An observational cross-sectional study was conducted in the Oral Medicine Clinic in 31 patients who used teledentistry services at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic under informed consent. Questionnaire modification was validated with the Rasch model analysis and components that contribute to satisfaction were analyzed by the factor analysis. A total of satisfaction scores were then categorized into five levels (very dissatisfied; not satisfied; moderate; satisfied and very satisfied). RESULTS: The questionnaire shows Cronbach's alpha of 0.83 and a reliability item of 0.95 with a separation of 4.49. The factor analysis shows two components that contribute to satisfaction, namely, components convenience and communication. One hundred percent of the subjects were in the satisfied and very satisfied categories. DISCUSSION: The Rasch model can determine the validity and reliability of the questionnaire used more accurately. The components of convenience and communication are the main things that are considered when patients choose teledentistry services. CONCLUSION: Oral medicine patients' satisfaction level with teledentistry services during the COVID-19 pandemic was 100% in the satisfied and very satisfied categories, with contributing factors being convenience and communication.