Publication date: Jun 18, 2025

This 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. A 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. The 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. 26^0F +/- 0. 31^0F. PPE 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.

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