Estudio de la percepción de los estudiantes de odontología de 6to año UFT sobre el uso de EPP en un contexto de pandemia por SARS COV-2: Estudio con enfoque cualitativo

• Carriel Alcamán, Sebastián

• Odontología

Introduction: As a result of the SARS CoV-2 pandemic, dentists have undergone a drastic change in clinical practice after the creation of new protocols that ensure improved biosecurity. At Finis Terrae University, during the year 2020, 6th year Dentistry’s students have been trained under these protocols, experiencing a transition between the pre- and post-pandemic clinical experience. For this reason, the following question has been formulated: What is the perception of 6th year UFT dentistry students about the use of personal protection elements (PPE), in the context of the SARS CoV-2 2021 pandemic? The evidence on this topic have few studies, and it is relevant to start investigating whether there has been any change in the clinical performance of dental surgeons. General objective: To understand, from a qualitative perspective, the perception of 6th year UFT Dentistry students about the use of PPEs in the context of a pandemic, and its influence on clinical performance. Specific objectives: 1) Describe the perception of 6th year Dentistry students about the importance of the use of PPEs in a pandemic, 2) Describe the main advantages and disadvantages perceived by the participants about the use of PPEs, 3) Inquire about possible changes in the clinical performance of 6th year dentistry students. Methodology: Descriptive qualitative research, with phenomenological characteristics. Collection instrument: Semi-structured interview. Conformation of the group of participants: Call open to the target population, in order of arrival. Sample size: subject to theoretical saturation criteria. Analysis: Narrative in its first 3 stages. Results and analysis: Theoretical saturation found in interview Nº13. The interviews were transcribed, anonymized, and physically printed for descriptive and grid analysis, identifying 12 thematic ideas. PPE under COVID protocols produce: excessive sweating, dehydration, intolerance to heat, a feeling of compromised clinical performance, behind-the-ear pain, etc. Conclusion: It is expected that this research work will serve as a starting point to study the problem in Chilean dental surgeons on a larger scale.

Tesis (Cirujano dentista)--Universidad Finis Terrae, 2021