COVID-19. ARE WE PREPARED FOR FUTURE OUTBREAKS? AN ONLINE SURVEY TO ASSESS KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND AWARENESS OF DENTAL PROFESSIONALS

Background: COVID-19 continues to impact the dental community worldwide. The authors conducted an electronic study to examine dentists knowledge, attitudes and awareness towards COVID-19 and its future outbreaks and its impact on their dental practice. Methods: A questionnaire was circulated by electronic mail and social media platforms to dentists in different regions of North India. General dentists both BDS and MDS along with postgraduates and Interns represented the study population. On the level of comfortable with the preventive measures and provisions of treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic, knowledge, awareness and attitude were assessed using questionnaire. The questionnaire covered demographic characteristics and questions on COVID-19 outbreak related to dentists level of comfort on preventive and safety measures, provision of treatment, impact on dental practice. Responses were tabulated and analyzed by chi-square or exact Fisher test. A P-value of less than 0.05 was considered significant. Results: A total of 370 dentists responded. Comparisons were made gender wise, age wise, qualification wise and based on years of experience. Statistically Significant and very highly significant results were obtained for different questions in the questionnaire. Majority of the subjects were not aware regarding Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and its use. (P<0.01). Conclusions: The findings of the present study showed that dental professionals lack preparedness to confront COVID 19, however they are eager to attain knowledge and apply it in their clinical practice for possible future outbreaks. It also emphasized on essence of health education and training programs amongst the health care professionals.