Faculty Perspective on Physical Symptoms and Signs Wearing Personal Protective Equipment During COVID-19 Pandemic

PurposeThis study examined faculty perspectives on physical symptoms and signs of wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) while performing aerosolised dental treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsA subjective symptoms survey on wearing COVID-19 PPE was sent to all clinical faculty at a Midwestern dental school via BlueEval, the university's survey program. Following the survey, sixteen faculty members participated in the phase 2 objective study assessing vital signs with PPE usage. Data were analysed using SPSS 28 statistical software.ResultsThe phase 1 response rate was approximately 52.7% (59/112). Results showed that overall, 88.1% reported decreased ability to communicate, 69.5% felt smothered, and 56.1% had headaches. Comparisons across gender-age groups showed a significant difference in reporting headaches between young females (90.0%) and older males (29.4%). The before and after vital sign measurements in phase 2 across all sixteen volunteers showed a significant increase in temperature of 0.26 degrees F +/- 0.31 degrees F.ConclusionPPE protects all healthcare workers from transmitting diseases. This study showed several symptoms, including decreased communication ability, smothering, external ear discomfort, and headaches in significantly higher percentages. Reported signs included a reduction in mean pulse rate in younger males and females but increased in older males and females.