Knowledge and Awareness of COVID-19 among Dental Students, Interns, Clinicians and Academics
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Date
2020-07
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Sumathi Publications
Abstract
Introduction: COVID-19 is a highly infectious disease caused by an RNA virus belonging to a large family of coronaviruses. WHO declared COVID-19 as a public health emergency and classified it as a pandemic. Aim: The study aims to evaluate and assess knowledge with regards to COVID-19 among dental students, interns, clinicians and academics in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 366 dental students, interns, joint academic appointee, and full-time faculty. Data was collected using an electronic based questionnaire distributed through E-mails. Data was entered and analyzed using SPSS Version 23 with a significance value of p<0.05. Chi-square test was used to compare categorical variables. Results: Almost all participants acquire adequate level of knowledge regarding the mode of transmission, incubation period and symptoms of COVID-19. Approximately half of the participants 205 (56%) thought that standard precautions in the dental clinics were insufficient in the management of suspected cases of COVID-19. Nearly all participants thought that elective dental treatment should be deferred, and only emergency treatment can be provided. However, there was a poor response regarding the correct survival duration of COVID-19 on plastic or stainless-steel surfaces and the use of pre-operational hydrogen peroxide mouth rinse as a method of preventing transmission. Conclusion: This study identified areas where participants lacked the knowledge in managing COVID-19 with the best methods available especially at an undergraduate level. In order to have a more efficient and appropriate response for future pandemics, dental curriculums and educational activities should pro-actively provide training opportunities.
Description
Keywords
Knowledge of COVID-19, Dental practitioners, Cross sectional study, Dental precautions, Disease transmission, Infection control
Citation
Aboalela Ali, Shafei Ahmad Al, Shraim Nassir Mohammed Bin, Almousa Mandlin Abdulaziz, Alharbi Ghadah Khalid, Alqahtani Amerah Saeed. Knowledge and Awareness of COVID-19 among Dental Students, Interns, Clinicians and Academics. International Journal of Medical Research & Health Sciences. 2020 Jul; 9(7): 25-31