Anand Marya1,2, Mohmed Isaqali Karobari3, Siddharthan Selvaraj4, Abdul Habeeb Adil5, Ali A Assiry6, Ali A Rabaan7, Rithvitou Horn8, Adith Venugopal2, Pietro Messina9, Giuseppe Alessandro Scardina9. 1. Department of Orthodontics, University of Puthisastra, Phnom Penh 12211, Cambodia. 2. Department of Orthodontics, Saveetha Dental College, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Chennai 600077, India. 3. Conservative Dentistry Unit, School of Dental Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia Health Campus, Kubang Kerian 16150, Malaysia. 4. Faculty of Medicine, UniSZA, Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu 20400, Malaysia. 5. Department of Community Dentistry, School of Dental Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia Health Campus, Kubang Kerian 16150, Malaysia. 6. Preventive Dental Science Department, Faculty of Dentistry, Najran University, Najran 55461, Saudi Arabia. 7. Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory, Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare, Dhahran 34465, Saudi Arabia. 8. Faculty of dentistry, University of Puthisastra, Phnom Penh 12211, Cambodia. 9. Department of Surgical, Oncological and Stomatological Disciplines, University of Palermo, 90133 Palermo, Italy.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Healthcare workers in general are at a high risk of potential infections with COVID-19, especially those who work with aerosol generating procedures. Dentists fall in this category, as not only do they operate with aerosol generating procedures but also operate within a face-to-face contact area. METHODS: A structured self-administered questionnaire was developed at Najran University and provided to the participants for data collection. The data collected included information on risk perception and incorporation of measures for protection against COVID-19 to gauge the attitude of dentists during this period. Also, clinical implementation of various protective measures was reviewed. RESULTS: Of the n = 322 dentists that answered the questions, 50% were general dentists and 28.9% were dentists working at specialist clinics, while the remaining 21.1% of dentists were employed in academic institutions. Among the newer additions to the clinic, 36.3% of dentists answered that they had added atomizers to their practices, followed by 26.4% of dentists that had incorporated the use of UV lamps for sterilization. We found that 18.9% dentists were using HEPA filters in their clinics, while 9.9% of dentists were making use of fumigation devices to control the risk of infection. One-way ANOVA was also carried out to demonstrate that there was a statistically significant difference (p = 0.049) between groups of dentists utilizing HEPA filters, UV lamps, atomizers, and fumigation devices to prevent the spread of SARS-CoV2 across their workplaces. CONCLUSION: Dentists are aware of recently updated knowledge about the modes of transmission of COVID-19 and the recommended infection control measures in dental settings. A better understanding of the situation and methods to prevent it will ensure that the dental community is able to provide healthcare services to patients during the pandemic.
OBJECTIVE: Healthcare workers in general are at a high risk of potential infections with COVID-19, especially those who work with aerosol generating procedures. Dentists fall in this category, as not only do they operate with aerosol generating procedures but also operate within a face-to-face contact area. METHODS: A structured self-administered questionnaire was developed at Najran University and provided to the participants for data collection. The data collected included information on risk perception and incorporation of measures for protection against COVID-19 to gauge the attitude of dentists during this period. Also, clinical implementation of various protective measures was reviewed. RESULTS: Of the n = 322 dentists that answered the questions, 50% were general dentists and 28.9% were dentists working at specialist clinics, while the remaining 21.1% of dentists were employed in academic institutions. Among the newer additions to the clinic, 36.3% of dentists answered that they had added atomizers to their practices, followed by 26.4% of dentists that had incorporated the use of UV lamps for sterilization. We found that 18.9% dentists were using HEPA filters in their clinics, while 9.9% of dentists were making use of fumigation devices to control the risk of infection. One-way ANOVA was also carried out to demonstrate that there was a statistically significant difference (p = 0.049) between groups of dentists utilizing HEPA filters, UV lamps, atomizers, and fumigation devices to prevent the spread of SARS-CoV2 across their workplaces. CONCLUSION: Dentists are aware of recently updated knowledge about the modes of transmission of COVID-19 and the recommended infection control measures in dental settings. A better understanding of the situation and methods to prevent it will ensure that the dental community is able to provide healthcare services to patients during the pandemic.