BACKGROUND

The global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has instigated a profound public health crisis, particularly affecting professionals like dentists who, due to their close interaction with saliva—a potential viral reservoir—and the aerosols generated during specific procedures, face elevated risks of infection. To mitigate this, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Philippine Dental Association (PDA) have established guidelines for averting cross-infection in dental settings

OBJECTIVE

This study, conducted in an urbanized Metro Manila City, delves into the infection control practices of dentists amid the pandemic.

METHODS

Dentists from a Metro Manila city dental chapter were invited to participate in an online survey (Google Forms) consisting of participants' demographics, patient triage, engineering, administrative controls, disinfection personal hygiene, personal protective equipment (PPE), and waste management practices. Descriptive statistics, employing frequency distributions and percentages, summarized the dentists' adherence to infection control protocols.

RESULTS

Out of forty-nine respondents (49), the majority (92%) provided their teams' orientation on COVID-19 infection control protocols before reopening. Notably, 57% deferred elective procedures and 43% postponed aerosolgenerating procedures (AGPs). Only 39% utilized rubber dam isolation during AGPs. Most respondents reported full implementation of recommended administrative controls during the pandemic, with 92% isolating their treatment areas from other parts of the clinic. Most respondents adopted high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filtration units (82%) as one of their clinic’s engineering controls, and an extraoral vacuum machine, accounting for 71% of the respondents. The most common disinfection product used by the participants was alcohol, which was at 94%. Additionally, over 90% adhered to all recommended hand hygiene practices for both dental staff and patients. For the waste management protocols, only 55% of the respondents have their infectious waste collected by third-party Treatment Storage and Disposal (TSD) facilities.

CONCLUSION

The data shows that with the guidelines posted by both the PDA and CDC, the city’s dental practitioners could still provide services to the community in the safest manner at the time by being updated and following the infection control practices suggested by both organizations. Although some areas could have been improved, such as third-party waste management and the utilization of RT-PCR testing, some of these problems could have been attributed to the lack of availability in their areas.

Public Health ; Philippines ; Interprofessional Education ; World Health Organization ; Centers For Disease Control And Prevention, U.s. ; Centers For Disease Control And Prevention (u.s.)

Background: Occupational therapy (OT) can be part of mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) in the university setting. Numerous studies worldwide have highlighted the negative impact of COVID-19 on mental health due to isolation and restrictions. In the Philippines, these issues were exacerbated among students, whose abrupt shift to remote learning negatively affected their mental well-being. As universities reopened, there is an opportunity for OT to support students' mental health. Objectives: This study presents the findings of an online group discussion and an online forum that explored the role of OT in MHPSS in the Philippine university setting. Moreover, this study aimed to (1) describe the perceptions of Filipino OT practitioners (OTPs) on their role in the university setting, and (2) describe thoughts of Filipino OTPs on being part of MHPSS services. Method: Using a qualitative exploratory design, data was gathered through an online discussion and an online forum. Thirty-five Filipino OTPs with a background in mental health practice served as the participants. Data was analysed using constant comparison. Results: Analyses of data generated four themes: (1) awareness of the importance of MHPSS as student support, (2) mental health and occupation-focused support in the education setting, (3) role of OT in MHPSS, and (4) potential for interprofessional services. Conclusion Need for OT in MHPSS is justified by rising issues in anxiety, depression, trauma, and stress that can be addressed using an occupation-focused approach. OTPs can provide non-specialized services like PFA, or specialized individual or group-based interventions. However, OTPs think that they need to know more about MHPSS to contribute across all levels of MHPSS.
Occupational Therapy ; Mental Health ; Psychosocial Support Systems

BACKGROUND

Occupational therapy (OT) can be part of mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) in the university setting. Numerous studies worldwide have highlighted the negative impact of COVID-19 on mental health due to isolation and restrictions. In the Philippines, these issues were exacerbated among students, whose abrupt shift to remote learning negatively affected their mental well-being. As universities reopened, there is an opportunity for OT to support students' mental health.

OBJECTIVES

This study presents the findings of an online group discussion and an online forum that explored the role of OT in MHPSS in the Philippine university setting. Moreover, this study aimed to (1) describe the perceptions of Filipino OT practitioners (OTPs) on their role in the university setting, and (2) describe thoughts of Filipino OTPs on being part of MHPSS services.

METHOD

Using a qualitative exploratory design, data was gathered through an online discussion and an online forum. Thirty-five Filipino OTPs with a background in mental health practice served as the participants. Data was analysed using constant comparison.

RESULTS

Analyses of data generated four themes: (1) awareness of the importance of MHPSS as student support, (2) mental health and occupation-focused support in the education setting, (3) role of OT in MHPSS, and (4) potential for interprofessional services.

CONCLUSION

Need for OT in MHPSS is justified by rising issues in anxiety, depression, trauma, and stress that can be addressed using an occupation-focused approach. OTPs can provide non-specialized services like PFA, or specialized individual or group-based interventions. However, OTPs think that they need to know more about MHPSS to contribute across all levels of MHPSS.

Occupational Therapy ; Mental Health ; Psychosocial Support Systems