Comparison of Protocol Adherence in Maxillofacial Radiology Centers in Tehran Before and After the COVID-19 Pandemic
Journal of Dental School,
Vol. 43 No. 4 (2025),
18 October 2025
,
Page 205-209
https://doi.org/10.22037/jds.v43i4.46516
Abstract
Objective(s): The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by SARS-CoV-2, significantly impacted healthcare practices worldwide. Maxillofacial imaging centers were particularly affected due to their close interaction with patients and the use of aerosol-generating procedures. This study aimed to evaluate the changes in personal protective equipment (PPE) use, infection control protocols, and imaging practices before and after the pandemic in maxillofacial imaging centers in Tehran. Methods: This cross-sectional study used a before-and-after design to examine infection control and PPE protocol changes in maxillofacial imaging centers. A questionnaire that covered general information, patient triage, staff performance, and health protocols was distributed to 25 imaging centers and completed by the staff. Data was analyzed utilizing McNemar’s test to compare the conditions before and after the pandemic. Results: The study found a significant increase in the use of PPE among staff and patients following the COVID-19 outbreak. There was a 60% increase in mask usage by staff (P<0.05), and 72% of centers required patients to wear masks after the pandemic (P<0.05). Changes in ventilation systems and social distancing measures were also noted, with 27% of centers installing new ventilation systems after the pandemic (P<0.05). However, the sterilization of imaging equipment remained largely unchanged, with 98% of centers maintaining chemical disinfection practices.
- COVID-19
- Infection Control
- Maxillofacial Imaging
How to Cite
References
Hu B, Guo H, Zhou P, Shi Z-L. Characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19. Nature reviews microbiology. 2021;19(3):141-54. doi: 10.1038/s41579-020-00459-7.
Ravi V, Saxena S, Panda PS. Basic virology of SARS-CoV 2. Indian journal of medical microbiology. 2022;40(2):182-6. doi: 10.1016/j.ijmmb.2022.02.005.
Lake MA. What we know so far: COVID-19 current clinical knowledge and research. Clinical medicine. 2020;20(2):124-7. doi: 10.7861/clinmed.2019-coron
Srivastava KC, Shrivastava D, Hosni HA, Khan ZA, Al-Johani K, Alzoubi IA, et al. Recommendations, practices and infrastructural model for the dental radiology set-up in clinical and academic institutions in the COVID-19 era. Biology. 2020;9(10):334. doi: 10.3390/biology9100334
Darvish S, Salman BN. General Considerations for the Practice of Pediatric Dentistry in the Period of COVID-19 pandemic: A Review. Journal of Biosciences and Medicines. 2021;9(8):29-42. doi: 10.4236/jbm.2021.98003
Munro L, Ostensen H, Ingolfsdottir G, World Health Organization. Basics of radiation protection for everyday use: how to achieve ALARA: working tips and guidelines. World Health Organization; 2004. Chap 06: 83.
Rosa BS, Ferreira MD, Moreira GC, Bastos MF, Pinto RR, Visconti MA, et al. The COVID-19 post-pandemic scenario to Oral Radiology at Dental Schools. Oral Radiology. 2020;36:406-7. doi: 10.1007/s11282-020-00466-7.
Devlin H, Soltani P. COVID-19 and Dentistry. Encyclopedia. 2021;1(2):496-504. doi: 10.3390/encyclopedia1020041
Wilson FR, Pan W, Schumsky DA. Recalculation of the critical values for Lawshe’s content validity ratio. Measurement and evaluation in counseling and development. 2012 Jul;45(3):197-210. doi: 10.1177/074817561244028
DeVon HA, Block ME, Moyle‐Wright P, Ernst DM, Hayden SJ, Lazzara DJ, Savoy SM, Kostas‐Polston E. A psychometric toolbox for testing validity and reliability. Journal of Nursing scholarship. 2007 Jun;39(2):155-64. doi: 10.1111/j.1547-5069.2007.00161.x
Turska-Szybka A, Prokopczyk M, Winkielman P, Olczak-Kowalczyk D. Knowledge and attitude of Polish dental healthcare professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic. International journal of environmental research and public health. 2021;18(22):12100. doi: 10.3390/ijerph182212100
Khanal N, Singh A. Knowledge, attitude and practice regarding COVID-19 and its impact on dentistry: A cross-sectional survey among Nepalese dentists. Kathmandu University medical journal. 2020;18(2):3-9.
MacDonald DS, Colosi DC, Mupparapu M, Kumar V, Shintaku WH, Ahmad M. Guidelines for oral and maxillofacial imaging: COVID-19 considerations. Oral surgery, oral medicine, oral pathology and oral radiology. 2021 Jan 1;131(1):99-110. doi: 10.1016/j.oooo.2020.10.017.
Cascante-Sequeira D, Ruiz-Imbert AC, Haiter-Neto F. Oral and maxillofacial radiology during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic: recommendations for a safer practice. Odovtos International Journal of Dental Sciences. 2020 Dec;22(3):93-102. doi: 10.15517/ijds.2020.42532.
del Pilar Cabrera-Tasayco F, Rivera-Carhuavilca JM, Atoche-Socola KJ, Peña-Soto C, Arriola-Guillén LE. Biosafety measures at the dental office after the appearance of COVID-19: a systematic review. Disaster medicine and public health preparedness. 2021;15(6):e34-e8.doi: 10.1017/dmp.2020.269.
Warmling CM, Spin-Neto R, Palma LZ, Silva-Junior MF, Castro RG, Finkler M, et al. Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Oral Health Workforce: A Multicenter Study from the Southern Region of Brazil. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2023;20(2):1301.doi: 10.3390/ijerph20021301.
Kaygısız Yiğit M, Akyol R, Yalvaç B, Etöz M. Dental radiographic changes in individuals with COVID-19: a controlled retrospective study. Oral Radiology. 2024;40(2):148-57. doi: 10.1007/s11282-023-00713-7
UNICEF. COVID-19 and children. UNICEF DATA. Last updated: September 2022.
Flaherty S. Study confirms kids as spreaders of COVID-19 and emerging variants. Harvard Gazette. 2021. https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2021/10/study-confirms-kids-as-spreaders-of-covid-19-and-emerging-variants/
- Abstract Viewed: 81 times
- PDF Downloaded: 78 times