Unknown

Dataset Information

0

Knowledge of dentists, dental auxiliaries, and students regarding the COVID-19 pandemic in Saudi Arabia: a cross-sectional survey.


ABSTRACT:

Background

This study aimed to assess the knowledge of dental professionals in Saudi Arabia regarding severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Methods

A questionnaire was developed to assess various dental professionals from both governmental and private sectors through online and social media outlets.

Results

A total of 1,033 questionnaires were collected (273 dental students, 193 dental auxiliary personnel, 544 dentists). In all, 63.4% of the respondents worked in hospitals. Of all the respondents, 44.9%, 33.4%, and 21.7% worked in governmental clinics, academia, and the private sector, respectively. Overall knowledge of the incubation period and route of transmission of SARS-CoV-2 was consistent across all dental professions. Knowledge of hand-soap cleaning time was significantly different among dental professionals (p < 0.001). Dental professionals displayed significant disagreement on the survival of SARS-CoV-2 outside the host (p < 0.001). Furthermore, 75.1% of the respondents were reluctant to treat a suspected COVID-19 patient, and 92% of the participants believed that the mode of transmission was droplet inhalation. Fever, coughing, and shortness of breath were identified as the most common symptoms of COVID-19. Most standard methods of prevention in the dental office were selected by at least 50% of the participants.

Conclusions

Dental professionals seem to be consistent regarding their knowledge of the incubation period of SARS-CoV-2. However, knowledge of viral survivability and recommended hand-soap washing time was significantly variable among the professionals. A high degree of apprehension toward suspected COVID-19 patients existed among all dental professionals. Pandemic-awareness campaigns are essential among healthcare providers.

SUBMITTER: Shahin SY 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7751262 | biostudies-literature |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

Similar Datasets

| S-EPMC7995726 | biostudies-literature
| S-EPMC7542860 | biostudies-literature
| S-EPMC7450182 | biostudies-literature
| S-EPMC5546842 | biostudies-other
| S-EPMC8069116 | biostudies-literature
| S-EPMC8058223 | biostudies-literature
| S-EPMC4495767 | biostudies-literature
| S-EPMC7600160 | biostudies-literature
| S-EPMC6487179 | biostudies-literature
| S-EPMC8189128 | biostudies-literature