Face-touching Behavior during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Self-inoculation and transmission potentials
J Dent Hyg
; 95(5):41-46, 2021.
Article
in English
| PubMed | ID: covidwho-1469304
ABSTRACT
Purpose:
Face-touching behavior has the potential for self-inoculation and transmission of the SARS-2 Coronavirus. The purpose of this study was to observe unconscious face-touching behaviors of dental hygiene and dental students in a non-clinical setting.Methods:
Twenty minutes of archived proctoring videos of dental and dental hygiene students (n=87) while taking final examinations were watched for incidents of face-touching behavior. Data were analyzed for descriptive frequencies;independent sample t-tests were used to determine differences between dental and dental hygiene students and between males and females.Results:
There was a significant difference in face touching behaviors between the student groups. Dental hygiene students (n=42) were observed 11.9 times (SD. 11.4) and dental students (n=45) were observed 8.9 times (SD, 7.9) touching the nose, mouth, and eyes (T-zone) (p=0.049). Differences in frequencies of touching the T-zone failed to reach significance between genders.Conclusion:
Findings suggest both dental hygiene and dental students frequently touch their faces in non-clinical settings and need to be aware of this unconscious behavior. Given the significance of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is important to identify and quantify known risk factors that can be easily addressed to prevent/reduce infection transmission.
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Collection:
Databases of international organizations
Database:
PubMed
Language:
English
Journal:
J Dent Hyg
Year:
2021
Document Type:
Article
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