Presenteeism: Characteristics of dental hygienists who work when sick

Purpose: Presenteeism, or working while sick, results in disease transmission and decreased productivity. The purpose of this study was to identify demographic data and workpractice factors that relate to presenteeism and identify attitudes and beliefs before and during the pandemic. Methods: A 30-item online survey about working while sick was adapted from a survey used for physicians. Dental hygienists were recruited via social media. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multivariate logistic regression. Results: 843 participants completed the survey. 79% of the respondents worked when sick at least once a year preceding the pandemic. Those who worked with cold symptoms or contagious illnesses were under the age of 40 (p=0.03), with two dental hygienists employed in their primary place of employment (p=0.02) and worked 13+ days/month. 49% of respondents worked when sick at least once during the pandemic. Those over the age of 40 (p=0.02), with greater than $80,000 in education loan debt, worked with cold symptoms or a contagious illness during the pandemic. Participants with 11-20 years of working experience (p=0.03), an hourly wage compensation mechanism (p=0.03), and education debt level of $20,000-$30,000 (p=0.02) believed that working when sick endangers patients and colleagues. Conclusions: Financial burden, age, number of days worked, years in practice, number of employed dental hygienists, management, production, patient and colleague expectations, and fear of ostracism were factors of presenteeism indicating the need for a shift in occupational safety and well-being among practitioners, colleagues, and patients.