Knowledge of biosecurity by active allied health professionals in emergency dental care during COVID-19

Background: allied health professionals of dental care are in the high-risk groups of professionals to catch and transmit COVID-19. The level of knowledge of biosecurity by them is very important.Objective: to assess the level of biosecurity knowledge of the allied health professionals of dental care who were active in dental emergency care in May 2020, during the COVID-19 epidemic in Las Tunas.Methods: a descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out with a sample of 30 allied health professionals who were active in the dental emergency departments, belonging to the four health districts of the municipality of Las Tunas and two provincial units, in May 2020. The following variables were assessed: age, sex, work area, results of the questionnaire given to them to measure knowledge of regulations and principles of biosecurity, with an emphasis on the context of COVID-19.Results: females predominated, 25 (83.3 %). 63.3 % were under 45 years of age; the average age was 32 years. The largest number worked in the sterilization department, 18 (60 %), and 6 (20%) in the office of asymptomatic and symptomatic patients, as well as the same number in the symptomatic one. Most of them showed an adequate level of knowledge: 16 (53.3 %) obtained 90 points or more and 7 (23.3 %) between 80-89 points. Three of the professionals with worst grade results worked in the office of asymptomatic patients and one in the sterilization department. The aspects with the greatest cognitive difficulties were identified.Conclusions: Most of the allied health professionals who were active during COVID-19 showed an adequate level of knowledge of biosecurity.