Prosthodontic Attitudes and Practices among Dentists during the First Wave of COVID-19 Era

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is a highly infectious disease that poses a threat in dental practice especially in prosthetic clinics due to the peculiar nature of prosthodontic procedures.

The aim of this study was to determine the attitude and practices in prosthodontics during COVID-19 period.

An online cross-sectional survey was done among dentists practicing prosthodontics across Nigeria.

The survey was carried out by sending validated structured self-administered questionnaire to dentists on different social and speciality platforms. The questionnaire was designed into four segments namely socio-demographics, attitude, practice, and preparedness of dental staff towards COVID-19.

Data analysis was done using SPSS software program, version 25.0. Statistical significance was established at P = <0.05.

A total of 123 participants were seen with mean age of 45.20 ± 10.80 years. The specialists (48.0%) constituted the largest group, and the majority of participants were from the southwest (74.8%). Only 27.6% were very eager to perform dental procedures. Majority (64.2%) of the treatment was done by consultation via telephone calls, the use of telephone calls was not associated with age nor gender (P = 0.903, 0.611, respectively). A total of 31.7% attended to emergency cases occasionally. Only 13.4% performed prosthodontic treatment and this procedure was done in line with recommended guidelines to control and prevent the spread of COVID-19.

The eagerness to perform dental procedures was low and majority of treatment was done by consultation via telephone calls. However, prosthodontic procedure was done by a few of the dentists according to the recommended guidelines for prevention and control.