Sains Malaysiana 50(5)(2021): 1485-1496

http://doi.org/10.17576/jsm-2021-5005-27

Malaysian Dentists’ Self-Reported Experience towards Continuing Clinical Activity during the COVID-19 Pandemic

(Pegawai Pergigian di Malaysia Melaporkan Pengalaman Sendiri Meneruskan Aktiviti Klinikal semasa Pandemik COVID-19)

SHANI ANN MANI¹*, NOR AZLIDA MOHD NOR², JACOB JOHN³ & SABRI MUSA¹

¹Department of Paediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Federal Territory, Malaysia

²Department of Community Oral Health & Clinical Prevention, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Federal Territory, Malaysia

³Department of Restorative Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Federal Territory, Malaysia

Received: 29 January 2021/Accepted: 15 April 2021

ABSTRACT

This study assessed the self-reported symptoms/signs and precautionary measures towards continuing clinical practice during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic among Malaysian dentists. An online questionnaire was administered using Google Form distributed via social networks, email lists and social media pages to Malaysian dentists in both private and government sectors. Respondents were required to report their clinical activity during the three phases of the various Movement Control Order (MCO) imposed by the Malaysian government: namely the MCO, Conditional-MCO and the Recovery-MCO. Data was analysed with SPSS using descriptive and Chi-square tests. A total of 1548 dentists completed the survey. Five dentists reported being tested positive for COVID-19 test while 48 had one/more symptoms related to the disease. The majority perceived a real risk of COVID-19 transmission to dentists and more than 80% limited their clinical services to emergency/selective care during the MCO and C-MCO. About 17% of the dentists suspended face-to-face clinical activities during the MCO period but this figure dropped to 3.4% during the R-MCO. Clinical activities were limited mainly due to closure of workplaces (88.6%). Precautionary measures adopted at dental clinics included recording body temperature (54.2%), physical distancing in waiting rooms (84.6%) and hand washing prior to and after dental procedures (77.5%). The findings demonstrate that most dentists limited their clinical services during the MCO and resumed work once restrictions were lifted during the C-MCO and R-MCO. Many reported adopting appropriate precautionary measures to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. 

Keywords: Clinical practice; COVID-19; dentists; pandemic; MCO

ABSTRAK

Kajian ini bertujuan untuk menilai gejala/tanda COVID-19 dan langkah pencegahan terhadap kesinambungan amalan klinikal semasa gelombang kedua penularan wabak COVID-19 di kalangan pegawai pergigian di Malaysia. Soal selidik ini diberikan secara dalam talian menggunakan borang Google yang diedarkan melalui rangkaian sosial, e-mel dan media sosial kepada pegawai pergigian di Malaysia yang berkhidmat di sektor awam dan swasta. Responden diminta melaporkan aktiviti klinikal mereka selama tiga fasa Perintah Kawalan Pergerakan (PKP) yang dilaksanakan oleh kerajaan Malaysia, iaitu PKP, PKP-Bersyarat (PKPB) dan PKP-Pemulihan (PKPP). Data dianalisa dengan SPSS menggunakan ujian deskriptif dan khi kuasa dua. Seramai 1,548 pegawai pergigian menjawab kaji selidik ini. Seramai 5 orang pegawai pergigian dilaporkan sebagai positif COVID-19 dan 48 orang didapati mempunyai satu/lebih gejala yang berkaitan dengan COVID-19. Kebanyakan daripada  mereka merasakan penularan COVID-19 berisiko kepada pegawai pergigian dan lebih daripada 80% telah mengehadkan perkhidmatan klinikal kepada rawatan kecemasan/selektif semasa PKP dan PKPB. Sekitar 17% pegawai pergigian menangguhkan aktiviti klinikal secara bersemuka dalam tempoh PKP dan peratusan tersebut menurun kepada 3.4% semasa PKPP. Faktor utama kegiatan klinikal yang terhad adalah kerana penutupan tempat kerja (88.6%). Langkah pencegahan yang dilakukan di klinik pergigian termasuk mencatat suhu badan (54.2%), penjarakan fizikal di ruang menunggu (84.6%) dan mencuci tangan sebelum dan selepas prosedur pergigian (77.5%). Hasil kajian menunjukkan bahawa kebanyakan pegawai pergigian mengehadkan perkhidmatan klinikal mereka semasa PKP dan menyambung semula aktiviti klinikal setelah kelonggaran diberikan semasa tempoh PKPB dan PKPP. Kebanyakan responden melaporkan mengamalkan langkah pencegahan untuk mengekang penularan COVID-19.

Kata kunci: Amalan klinikal; COVID-19; pandemik; pegawai pergigian; PKP

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*Corresponding author; email: shani@um.edu.my