Changes in the Work Environment and Personal Quarantine Guidelines of South Korean Dental Clinics due to the COVID-19 Outbreak

Abstract

The aim of this study was to accurately identify the working environment of dental hygienists after COVID-19 and to confirm compliance with the quarantine guidelines. During the month of June 2020, 202 dental hygienists in Korea were surveyed on dental work environment and quarantine guidelines. The demographic characteristics and working environment with dental hygienists were frequency analyzed, and the comparison of the quarantine guidelines before and after COVID-19 was conducted. There has been no significant change in the welfare and salary of dental hygienists in the dental practice since COVID-19. 45.5 % of dental hygienists felt a decrease in patients, 48.0 % of dental hygienists felt a decrease in sales. In addition, 23.8 % of dental hygienists were encouraged to use their annual leave by their bosses, with 13.4 % of their colleagues leaving the dental clinics. After COVID-19, the quarantine guidelines for dental hygienists were significantly higher than before COVID-19. Dental hygienists should make efforts to ensure that patients receive dental treatment with confidence by thoroughly monitoring COVID-19 infection prevention. It should take the lead in helping the dental management by cooperating with each other with interest in the work environment changed to COVID-19.