Awareness And Attitude Towards Preventive Measures Of Covid 19 Transmission In Dental Practice Among Delhi – NCR (India) Dental Surgeons: A Cross Sectional Survey

Aim & Objective: In spite of the growing risk of transmission of COVID 19, this study assessesthe level of awareness and attitude of various dental professionals in the Delhi – NCR region (India) towards the preventive measures of COVID 19 transmission in their day to day clinical practice. Method: The study population included dental surgeons who work in university dental clinics, private sector and government sector in Delhi – NCR (India) region. An online questionnaire was sent to a sample of Delhi NCR (India) dental surgeons in October 2020. The questionnaire comprised of a series of questions about their demographic data, their awareness about the incubation period of COVID-19, infection control measures to prevent cross infection in dental settings and their attitude towards the patients while treating to prevent the risk of transmission of COVID 19. Result: This study included 128 dental surgeons aged 22 to 73 years. A total of 65(51.2%) dental surgeons were working in university dental clinics, 46(36.2%) in private clinics and 16(12.6%) in government set ups. A total of 83 (65.4%) dental surgeons reported that the incubation period of COVID 19 is 2-14 days. Majority of dental surgeonsworking in the university, private and government set upswere well aware about the prevention protocols to avoid the risk of transmission of COVID 19 like the anti retraction hand piece preventive used to avoid the dental operatory water unit contamination, pre procedural mouth rinses and surface disinfection. A total of 72 (58.1%) dental surgeons were using Grade 3 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) protocol even for non – aerosol generating procedures. They were using HEPA filters for reducing aerosol transmission inside the operatory and scheduling the aerosol procedures as the last procedure of the day. Conclusion: Irrespective of the University, private and governmentdental clinics, Delhi - NCR (India) dental surgeons were well aware about the COVID 19 mode of transmission, infection control and appropriate measures to be taken to prevent the transmission of COVID 19 in their dental practices.