Article PDF :

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Article type :

Original Article

Author :

Shweta Sarate, Babita Ratnakar Pawar, Shyam Sunder Salavadi, Kunal Sarate, Yugal Kishore Dubey, Trupti Daharmpal Wankhede, Kotya Naik

Volume :

5

Issue :

3

Abstract :

Background : Lack of proper knowledge can delay recognition and handling of potential diseases and this is true regarding the current pandemic situation of today as COVID-19. This study has been undertaken to have an idea about the awareness and attitude of Dental professionals toward the present COVID-19 situation so as to certain what more the needs and measures are needed to make our dental fraternity be more embanked and empowered with thorough necessary knowledge to help to fight with COVID-19 in these desperate times. Aim: The aim of the present study was to investigate the awareness and attitude of dental professionals towards the pandemic breakout of COVID-19. Materials and Methods: The study population consisted of dental professionals in Central India. An online questionnaire was sent to the dentists in the month of May 2020. The questionnaire was comprised of a series of questions about awareness and attitude of dental professionals towards Covid-19 which was prepared according to the guidelines issued by Dental Council of India. Results: This study included a total of 221 dental professionals. A total of 105 (49.8%) BDS students, 19 (4.3%) interns, 36 (17.1%) BDS graduates, 38 (18%) post-graduate students and 23 (10.9%) MDS dentists were involved in this survey. 123 (56.91%) dentists reported that the incubation period is 14 days while 46 (21.3%) reported that it was 14-28 days. The majorities of dentists was aware of COVID-19 symptoms and ways of identifying patients at risk of having COVID-19 and were aware of measures for preventing COVID-19 transmission in dental clinics. A total of 168 (98.2%) believed that dentists are at the highest risk of getting infecting while treating patients. Also 142 (83.5%) mentioned that it is a stressful period due to COVID-19 epidemic. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that Central India’s dentists have demonstrated accurate and deep awareness as well as positive attitude towards COVID-19 at the time of its epidemic.