ASSESSMENT OF KNOWLEDGE AND AWARENESS ABOUT COVID-19 AMONG DENTAL PRACTITIONERS-- A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Dr. Bharti Wagh*

ABSTRACT

Introduction- Corona viruses are a group of viruses that primarily infect the upper respiratory and gastrointestinal tract. Disease increases in human-to-human contact via respiratory droplets. The disease has impacted dentists due to close proximity to the patients, entailing high-speed instrumentation, and aerosols in clinical settings, and since then the dental practitioners instructed to carry out only emergency treatment. Such information on the knowledge and awareness of dentists is needed to prevent COVID-19 transmission in the dentist. Objective- To assess knowledge and awareness of COVID-19 among dental practitioners. Materials and Method- A cross-sectional study was conducted among 220 dental students and general practitioners to assess knowledge and awareness about COVID-19. The data was collected self-administered structured questionnaire in an electronic form mainly about demographic data and general knowledge about symptoms of COVID-19, precautions and practices, standard precautions, and prevention methods. Results- Participants lacked the knowledge in managing COVID-19, especially at the undergraduate level. Conclusion- More efficient and appropriate response to future pandemics, dental curriculums, and educational activities should pro-actively provide training opportunities.

Keywords: Knowledge of COVID-19, Dental practitioners, Cross sectional study, Dental precautions, Disease transmission, Infection control.