The impact of Covid-19 on dentistry: An online cross-sectional questionnaire survey among dental professionals

Abstract

Background: Dental education and practical dentistry were widely affected by the unknown and rapidly spreading Covid-19 pandemic during 2020 and 2021. The dentists as well as dental students were unaware about how to deal with the routine patients who might be carrying the Covid-19 virus and may infect them as well as other patients coming to the dental department/clinic. Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the knowledge, attitude and perception of dental professionals including dental students in final year of dental studies, students in internship and post graduate students, towards Covid-19 infection and its impact on dentistry. Material and Method: An online survey form consisting of 24 questions related to Covid-19 was designed and circulated among more than 100 dental students and private practitioner in order to gather their responses. 100 completely answered survey forms’ data was analyzed using SPSS software and Microsoft Excel. Results: A total of 62 males and 38 females participated in this study. Out of total of 24 questions asked in survey form, the mean of knowledge scores by both males and females were found to be 16.08 ± 2.74 and 16.76 ± 2.88 respectively. Conclusion: The study findings showed that about 67% responses of male participants and 69% responses of female participants were found to be correct.