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01-12-2021 | COVID-19 | Research

Anxiety and facial self-contacts: possible impact on COVID-19 transmission in dental practice

Authors: María Carrillo-Diaz, Laura Lacomba-Trejo, Antonio del Valle-González, Martín Romero-Maroto, María José González-Olmo

Published in: BMC Oral Health | Issue 1/2021

Abstract

Background

The purpose was to analyse the associations between dental and trait anxiety, fear of COVID-19 and the duration and frequency of spontaneous hand-to-face contact (self-contact).

Methods

A cross-sectional design was carried out with 128 adult patients from four dental clinics in Madrid, during the confinement, from March 15 to May 15. The patients’ movements in the waiting room were monitored with Microsoft Kinect Software, also completed the Trait anxiety subscale of the STAI, the COVID-19 Fear and the S-DAI questionnaire.

Results

Associations were observed between the duration and frequency of facial, mask and eye contact with trait anxiety and dental fear was determined only by the frequency of this self-contact. Trait anxiety is associated with dental anxiety and with fear of COVID-19. Although facial self-contact is higher in women, it also rises in men as dental fear increases. Moreover, dental anxiety is a good predictor of trait anxiety and the incidence of facial self-contact.

Conclusions

Understanding the possible associations between biopsychosocial factors, such as trait anxiety, dental anxiety and self-contact is important. It may help to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the population as well as enabling the formulation of effective interventions to improve oral health care through the implementation of dental care programmes.

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Title: Anxiety and facial self-contacts: possible impact on COVID-19 transmission in dental practice
Authors: María Carrillo-Diaz
Laura Lacomba-Trejo
Antonio del Valle-González
Martín Romero-Maroto
María José González-Olmo
Publication date: 01-12-2021
Publisher: BioMed Central
Keywords: COVID-19
Anxiety
Published in: BMC Oral Health / Issue 1/2021
Electronic ISSN: 1472-6831
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12903-021-01564-6

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Anxiety and facial self-contacts: possible impact on COVID-19 transmission in dental practice

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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