Authors : Dr. Aditi Ramesh; Dr. Velpula Nagalaxmi; Dr. N. Bindu Priyanka Patel

Volume/Issue : Volume 6 - 2021, Issue 4 - April

Google Scholar : http://bitly.ws/9nMw

Scribd : https://bit.ly/3eOHNCa

Abstract : As India braces for the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic; Oral healthcare professionals, on the frontlines form a significant risk group and are supposed to take all transmission-based precautions to prevent its nosocomial spread. A poor understanding and preparedness for the disease may result in deadly spread of infection. This questionnaire study was designed to assess the knowledge and awareness of Oral health care professionals regarding practices and controls in dental practice following the COVID-19 outbreak. A cross-sectional study was conducted among the Oral healthcare professionals across the state of Telangana.14 questions evaluating demographic variables, knowledge and awareness towards COVID-19 were included in the questionnaire and distributed to dentists through the electronic mode. Data was collected from 343 dentists and statistically analysed. In the present study, 75th Percentile of the dentists have a knowledge score of 11 out of 14. The mean knowledge score was analysed among dental professionals pertaining to BDS (Bachelor of Dental Surgery), MDS (Master of Dental Surgery) and PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) and there was no statistically significant difference between them.  Conclusion The study highlights gaps in specific aspects of knowledge of Oral health care professionals and recommends to improvise/upgrade the knowledge of Oral health care professionals on specific infection control protocols.

Keywords : Awareness, COVID-19, Knowledge, Oral Healthcare Professional