Assessment of fear psychosis and practice modification in dental fraternity to ϑight against COVID-19- A Survey in central India population

Abstract

An outburst of coronavirus has tremendously affected the life of every individual. However, indeed, it has drastically been a setback for everyone around the world, but Healthcare professionals are the ones who are suffering as well as serving the most. Specifically, it has affected dental professionals who are at a maximum higher exposure to this coronavirus disease. So this study article aims to assess fear psychosis and practice modifications in dental fraternity to fight against COVID-19. This pandemic has changed the lifestyles of people as well their perspective towards life. Moreover keeping in mind, the current scenario it's vital to assess the knowledge and modifications which Dentist are adopting in their daily practice considering the pandemic situation. A cross-sectional study was conducted using an online survey form from 24th to 31st August 2020. A questionnaire was formulated and uploaded online and circulated amongst dental professionals in central India population. One thousand participants were included from various parts of Central India More than two-thirds of the general dental practitioners (78%) from various regions Were having anxiety about the anxious and scared by the distressing effects of Coronavirus disease. There was awareness seen in almost 85% of dentists about changes in the treatment protocols. Nevertheless, carrying out of the recent protocol for treatment was estimated to be around 60%. The majority of the dentists (66%) were working in the hospital setting, 20% were from government settings. Despite having a high standard of knowledge and practice, dental practitioners around the globe are in a state of anxiety and fear while working in their respective fields due to the COVID-19 pandemic impact on humanity. It has been evaluated that a vast number of population has just shut down their practices for an uncertain period or have restarted the practices with new protocols.

Mental health status of dentists during COVID‐19 pandemic: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

“…disease and the lack of adequate access to vaccines in many countries. 4,10 Dentists' dependence on receiving medical and health information from social media can be another cause of anxiety for dentists, as a wealth of unsubstantiated and unscientific information is published in these media. 19 There is virtually no solution to reduce the fear and anxiety caused by close contact between dentists and patients, except that by following the health instructions related to COVID-19 by dentists and using personal protective equipment and well-ventilated space, the risk of disease transmission between patients and dentist minimize and thus reduce this fear.…”

“…One of the main concerns of dentists is the fear of becoming infected with the virus and transmitting it to other first‐class acquaintances such as parents, spouses, and children 4 . In addition to all of the above, dentists, like other people, are constantly afraid of transmitting the disease or becoming infected with COVID‐19 in dental setting due to the lack of definitive treatment for COVID‐19 disease and the lack of adequate access to vaccines in many countries 4,10 . Dentists' dependence on receiving medical and health information from social media can be another cause of anxiety for dentists, as a wealth of unsubstantiated and unscientific information is published in these media 19 …”

Mental Health during COVID-19

“…Already under distress, looted and defrauded people were left helpless and were pushed in depression (22)(23)(24). Many of them have committed suicide due to these frauds.Urgent action to curb these frauds and online misappropriation of funds needs to check in order to safeguard people from another Infodemic (25,26).…”