Journal of Research and Advancement in Dentistry
Official publication of Magadh University and Kolhan University, Government of Bihar and Jharkhand, India
Official publication of Magadh University and Kolhan University, Government of Bihar and Jharkhand, India
Year : 2019
Volume : Volume 10
Issue : Issue 4
Address for correspondence :
Dr. Ashwani V.
ashwaniv94@gmail.com
Background: An unprecedented global war is going on and whole mankind is facing the same villain, the novel corona virus. The battlefield now is the hospitals and health workers are our soldiers. As the dentists are exposed to aerosols and droplets coming out from patient’s oral cavity, they are at high risk of getting infected. With the rapid growth curve of this pandemic, there is a huge setback in the financial status of dentist. Therefore dentistry today needs a complete structural change to revive their practice as well as minimise the risk of crossinfection. Materials and Methods: The study population consisted of dentists who work as private or government clinicians and health practitioners in India. A cross sectional study was conducted by administrating a wellstructured questionnaire consisting 43 questions and comprising 3 sections which included demographic characteristics, knowledge and perceptions of dentists regarding COVID 19 and their dental practice. A selfadministered multiple-choice question were sent to all the participants and submitted via Google forms. Results: The total number of respondents was 500 with a response rate of 50%. The present study showed equal participation of male and female dentists. A majority of participants were aware about the etiology (97%), mode of transmission (94.7%) and incubation period (98%). The study reported that only 72.5% of subjects were aware of training series covering the basic principles of infection prevention and control by CDC such as using PPE training and health care respiratory protection resources training. Conclusion: Indian dentists were aware about the COVID-19 symptoms, mode of transmission, infection control and measures in their dental clinic. However, there was a lacuna in knowledge about the extra precautionary measures that protect the dental staff and other patients from COVID-19.
Keywords: COVID-19, CDC Guidelines, Dentistry, Questionnaire, Awareness, Infection Control.
