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COVID-19—Awareness and Practice of Dentists in Saudi Arabia

Author

Listed:
  • Bassel Tarakji

    (Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Dentistry, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Al Kharj 16245, Saudi Arabia)

  • Mohammad Zakaria Nassani

    (Department of Restorative and Prosthetic Dental Sciences, College of Dentistry, Dar Al Uloom University, Riyadh 11512, Saudi Arabia)

  • Faisal Mehsen Alali

    (Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Dentistry, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Al Kharj 16245, Saudi Arabia)

  • Anas B. Alsalhani

    (Department of Oral Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, Alfarabi College of Dentistry and Nursing, Riyadh 11691, Saudi Arabia)

  • Nasser Raqe Alqhtani

    (Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Dentistry, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Al Kharj 16245, Saudi Arabia)

  • Abdullah Bin Nabhan

    (Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Dentistry, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Al Kharj 16245, Saudi Arabia)

  • Adel Alenzi

    (Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Dentistry, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Al Kharj 16245, Saudi Arabia)

  • Ali Alrafedah

    (Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Dentistry, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Al Kharj 16245, Saudi Arabia)

Abstract

Dental professionals have a major role in the fight against the spread and transmission of COVID-19. This study aimed to evaluate awareness and practice of dentists in Saudi Arabia regarding COVID-19 and the utilization of infection control methods. A 24-item questionnaire was developed and distributed through social media to 627 dentists working in Saudi Arabia. 177 questionnaires were completed (28.2% response rate). Most dentists were aware about the transmission, incubation time and main clinical symptoms of COVID-19. Almost 83% of the respondents appreciate the risk of droplets, aerosols and airborne particles in transmission of COVID-19 in the dental clinic. Among the common practices of participants are measuring patient’s body temperature before undertaking a dental treatment (88.7%), cleaning the environmental surfaces at the dental clinic after each patient (91.5%) and restriction of dental treatment to emergency cases (82.5%). It seems that practicing dentists in Saudi Arabia are fairly aware about COVID-19. The practices of the surveyed dentists appear to be mostly consistent with the current guidelines and recommendations for infection control of COVID-19 in the dental clinic. Some drawbacks in knowledge and a number of inappropriate practices can be identified and require the attention of health authorities.

Suggested Citation

  • Bassel Tarakji & Mohammad Zakaria Nassani & Faisal Mehsen Alali & Anas B. Alsalhani & Nasser Raqe Alqhtani & Abdullah Bin Nabhan & Adel Alenzi & Ali Alrafedah, 2021. "COVID-19—Awareness and Practice of Dentists in Saudi Arabia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(1), pages 1-9, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:1:p:330-:d:474796
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Luca Fiorillo & Gabriele Cervino & Marco Matarese & Cesare D’Amico & Giovanni Surace & Valeria Paduano & Maria Teresa Fiorillo & Antonio Moschella & Alessia La Bruna & Giovanni Luca Romano & Riccardo , 2020. "COVID-19 Surface Persistence: A Recent Data Summary and Its Importance for Medical and Dental Settings," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(9), pages 1-10, April.
    2. Ahmad Madarati & Seema Abid & Faisal Tamimi & Ali Ezzi & Aya Sammani & Mohamad Bachar Abou Al Shaar & Muhammad Zafar, 2018. "Dental-Dam for Infection Control and Patient Safety during Clinical Endodontic Treatment: Preferences of Dental Patients," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(9), pages 1-11, September.
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    Cited by:

    1. Syed Nahid Basheer & Thilla Sekar Vinothkumar & Nassreen Hassan Mohammad Albar & Mohmed Isaqali Karobari & Apathsakayan Renugalakshmi & Ahmed Bokhari & Syed Wali Peeran & Syed Ali Peeran & Loai Mohamm, 2022. "Knowledge of COVID-19 Infection Guidelines among the Dental Health Care Professionals of Jazan Region, Saudi Arabia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(4), pages 1-13, February.

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