Coronavirus Disease 2019 (Covid-19): Dentists Perception towards the Pandemic: A Questionnaire Based study
Author(s): Manjari Chaudhary and Uma Maheswari TN*
Abstract
The epidemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), originating in China has become a global health challenge due to its spread worldwide. The World Health Organization announced that the outbreaks of the novel coronavirus have constituted a global health emergency. As of April 11, 2020, COVID-19 is affecting 210 countries and territories around the world and 2 international conveyances. The health care workers are at high risk especially the dentist community as the risk of cross infection is high between patients and dental practitioners. Strict and effective infection control protocols are urgently needed to prevent the virus from further spreading and to help control the epidemic situation. The aim of the study was to assess the general perception of the Dentist community in India towards pandemic Covid-19 and the measures taken by them for protection against SARS-CoV2. A study was conducted in form of a questionnaire, made with help of Google form, comprising 13 questions, circulated via social media like WhatsApp and Facebook to the various dentists residing in different states of India. The responses were recorded, and the representation was in the form of aggregated results. In this questionnaire study, 165 dentists working in different states of India responded to 13 compulsory questions. This study helps us to know that more awareness among the dentist community should be created and further steps to be taken to improve the infection prevention and control methods among dentists both in dental institution and in dental practice.