The Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Dental Practice in Iran: A questionnaire-based report

Abstract

Background: The highly contagious nature of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV2), besides the fact that dental procedures commonly generate blood and saliva droplets that could lead to the contagion have resulted in the closure of many dental clinics. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on dental practice by conducting an online questionnaire among the Iranian dental practitioners and finding their perspectives on the subject.Methods: This report is based on a questionnaire that was conducted among Iranian dentists. The survey included questions that evaluate the dentists’ perceptions and attitudes toward the COVID-19 pandemic and its effect on their personal life, financial status, and the quality of dental services for patients.Results: Overall, 240 dentists contributed to this study (214 general dentists and 26 specialists). The majority of the participants (n=170, 70%) did not perform non-emergency procedures during the pandemic. The dental practitioners have suggested several strategies to decrease the risk of contagion, such as reducing treatment sessions (n=90, 37%), strict triage of patients (n=156, 64%), and using personal protective equipment (n=108, 45%). However, most of the dentists (n=210, 87%) had problems, providing personal protective equipment during the pandemic. Moreover, 97% (n=234) of the participants reported that they encountered a decrease in their financial income since the eruption of the pandemic.Conclusion: Dental health care workers are at the highest risk of contracting COVID-19. Thus, dental practitioners ought to execute the standard protocols more cautiously during the pandemic. They could also lower their work hours and limit dental procedures to emergency treatments to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission. Besides, the public organizations should provide proper equipment for the dental practitioners to decrease the risk of contagion.

COVID-19 infection among dentists in Iraqi Kurdistan Region

“…The main presenting symptoms of our participants have shown concordance with other studies from different countries [23][24][25][26]. In addition, the mean duration of symptoms is similar to previous studies [17,18].…”

“…Nevertheless, several reports showed that the pandemic strongly affected dental practice [17,18]. The cause of this high prevalence could be the failure to respond to the pandemic on a national basis and the insufficiency of Iraq's medical infrastructure.…”

Atendimento odontológico em tempos de COVID-19: avaliação da taxa de infecção e impacto econômico entre dentistas do estado do Paraná, Brasil.

“…Estudos têm demonstrado que instrumentos utilizados durante procedimentos odontológicos como peças de mão e instrumentos ultrassônicos resultam na geração de gotículas de sangue e saliva. Consequentemente, o Sars-CoV-2 pode ser transportado por aerossóis gerados por meio dos procedimentos, bem como contaminar os instrumentos e o ambiente odontológico (11) (12). No entanto, a análise dos dados mostrou que apenas 49 (17,2%) dos dentistas paranaenses entrevistados foram infectados antes de serem vacinados, enquanto a grande maioria 183 (64,2%) não contraiu COVID-19.…”

Strengthening Behavioral Patterns Impacting COVID-19 Vaccination and Oral Health Amidst the Looming Third Wave Scenario—Need of the Hour!

“…An inverse trend was noted between the COVID-19 pandemic prevalence and oral health care admissions, which further increased during the second wave of the pandemic. 26,27 Research suggests that in view of the pandemic, 32.5% of the patients seeking dental care for routine dental treatments preferred teleconsultation in the present situation. However, only 18% of individuals were ready to avail dental treatment owing to the pandemic distress, since oral treatments involve aerosol procedures that can increase their risk of contracting the disease.…”