Self-Reported Belief, Perceptions, Practice Of Dental Professionals During COVID-19 Pandemic In Chennai: A Cross Sectional Survey

Background: The global COVID-19 pandemic appears to have catastrophic clinical, fiscal, and social consequences, as well as a significant impact on health-care delivery.Dental hospitals and clinics have been functioning with limited access across most of the world since late March 2020 due to the contamination risks associated with aerosol-generated operations maximizing the risk of exposure to dental professionals. The aim of the study is to assess the self-reported belief, perceptions, practice of dental professionals during COVID-19 pandemic in Chennai. Materials and Method: A cross sectional study was conducted among 400 dental professionals in Chennai using a self-administered questionnaire. The statistics were computed with the SPSS version 23.0 software. Descriptive statistics, Chi square test were used for assessment. A P value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The mean age of the study participants was 25.13±4.54 years. About 32.1% of the study population reported to have been tested positive for COVID-19. About 47.5% were extremely concerned that a family member might contract COVID-19. Sterile gloves were reported to be the most used PPE. A statistical significance was observed between different aspects of health and gender (p <0.05). Conclusion: Results from the study conclude that with the dental services resuming, dental professionalsin this study are concerned and perceive the COVID-19 related risks and knowledge well. The findings suggest that mental health, physical health, social health and economic health were affected.To ensure their safety and reduce the psychological pressure on them, adequate and proper protection should be given.