Abstract:

Background: Many dental clinics have closed due to the extremely contagious characteristics of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV2), as well as the fact that dental operations frequently generate blood and saliva droplets that could spread the virus. Aim: The goal of this study was to assess the influence of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on dental practise by conducting an online survey of dental professionals and learning about their thoughts on the topic. Methods and Materials: The information in this study is based on a survey of dentists. The dentists' thoughts and attitudes concerning the COVID-19 epidemic, as well as its impact on their personal lives, financial situation, and the quality of dental services provided to patients, were evaluated in the survey. Results: This research involved 240 dentists (214 general dentists and 26 specialists). During the pandemic, the majority of the volunteers (n = 170, or 70%) did not perform non-emergency procedures. Reduced treatment sessions (n = 90, 37 percent), careful triage of patients (n = 156, 64 percent), and the use of personal protective equipment (n = 108, 45 percent) are among the solutions advised by dental practitioners to reduce the risk of infection. During the pandemic, however, the majority of dentists (n = 210, or 87 percent) had difficulty supplying personal protective equipment. Furthermore, 97 percent (n = 234) of the participants stated that their financial income has decreased since the outbreak of the pandemic. Conclusion: COVID-19 infection is most common among dental health care workers. As a result, dental practitioners should follow normal measures with greater caution during the pandemic. To lessen the danger of COVID-19 transmission, they could shorten their work hours and limit dental procedures to emergency treatments. Furthermore, to reduce the danger of infection, public entities should offer suitable equipment for dental practitioners.

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