A Study to Assess the Knowledge and Perception of Practicing Dental Professionals Toward COVID-19 in Lucknow City

Coronavirus belongs to family of Coronaviridae, which primarily infect the upper respiratory and gastro intestinal tract of birds & mammals. It is an enveloped virus with positive-sense single-stranded RNA. Patients with COVID-19 are usually present with symptoms of fever, dry cough, myalgia, dysgeusia, nausea, diarrhoea, hyposmia and later it progresses into pneumonia. Dentists are at potential risk because they are in consistent exposure of blood and saliva, so they should have knowledge of COVID-19 infection, transmission & prevention for proper infection control practices.

The aim of the study is to assess the knowledge and perception of DHPs toward COVID-19.

A cross-sectional study was undertaken among practicing dental professionals in Lucknow city (U.P) India. A total of 302 Dental Health Practitioners (DHPs) participated in the study. Knowledge was assessed using self-administered, structured questionnaire. The questions were administered online through Google Forms by sending link to the registered Dentist through E-mail.

A total of 350 DHPs were participated in the study, among which 302 DHPs has given complete responses and was included in the analysis. Simple linear regression showed a significant relationship between knowledge with age of dentist (p < 0.001), qualification as MDS (p = 0.025), practice as private (p < 0.001), experience between 5 and 10 years (p = 0.009), and experienced more than 10 years(p = 0.006). Correct answers in each sections of questionnaire were defined an internal consistency was assessed using Cronbach`s alpha.

Despite having high standard of knowledge, practices and perceptions DHPs around the world are in a state of anxiety and fear while working in their respective field due to COVID-19 impact. DHPs are advised to follow the guidelines for clinical recommendations given by health authorities like WHO, CDC, ADA and IDA.