AWARENESS AMONGST DENTAL PRACTITIONERS REGARDING THE CHANGE IN INFECTION CONTROL PROTOCOLS DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Background and Objectives: Dentists are at a higher risk of acquiring COVID-19 than the lay persons due to exposure of aerosols and saliva. Hence, Centre for Disease Control (CDC) has updated the protocols that need to be implemented during COVID-19 pandemic. The study aimed at evaluating the awareness among the dental practitioners regarding the interim changes in infection control protocols recommended by CDC during the pandemic and implementation of the same in the clinical practise. Materials and Methodology: Four hundred general dental practitioners and specialists participated in the study(n=400). The study was conducted as an anonymous web-based survey and respond­ing to the survey was considered implicit consent. The survey had 17 questions addressing the respondents characteristics, awareness about the changes in protocol by CDC and implementation of the same in the waiting area, operatory and postoperative care respectively. Results: The results of the study indicated that the awareness amongst the dental health care professionals both in general and specialisedpractise regarding the interim infection control protocols was relatively good. However, there were certain protocols that werent implemented owing to some difficulties faced by the dentists in their clinical practise. Interpretation and Conclusion: In spite of the relatively good knowledge regarding the interim infection control protocols, implementation of certain protocols was found to be lacking. Hence, the awareness regarding these guidelines must be increased through various continuing education programs and short-term courses on infection control and cross infection management during covid-19 pandemic.