Abstract
Introduction
the COVID-19 pandemic and measures to control its expansion impacted different segments of the economy, including dentistry professionals.
Objective
this study analyzed the financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on dental technicians in Brazil.
Material and method
this is a descriptive cross-sectional study with the application of a questionnaire of sociodemographic and professional profile, financial impact, and effect containment measures to dental technicians in Brazil. The questionnaire was applied online on social networks between January 27 and February 15, 2021.
Result
59.8% of the participants were male, with 47.5% aged up to 30 years, and 57.3% with less than 10 years of practice. The measures to contain the spread of the coronavirus had a financial impact on 89.6% of the participants: 72.0% had their work completely interrupted, 97.7% had their billing reduced, 98.2% changed their work routine, and 94.8% had higher laboratory expenses in the period. Revenue decreased between 0% and 25.0% for 41.2% and between 25.0% and 50.0% for 36.3%. In addition, 66.6% continued working during the pandemic due to their financial situation. 71.8% of the participants did not consider closing their laboratory permanently, whereas 92.2% followed hygiene protocols routinely and 21.6% made use of their financial reserves.
Conclusion
dental technicians were financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, mainly caused by fewer working hours, revenue reduction, and higher operating costs due to the change in the biosafety routine.
Descriptors:
Betacoronavirus; remuneration; dental technicians