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Operational Implications and Risk Assessment of COVID-19 in Dental Practices

Author

Listed:
  • Saba Wajeeh

    (Quality Assurance Department, Altamash Institute of Dental Medicine, Karachi 75500, Pakistan)

  • Abhishek Lal

    (Department of Prosthodontics, Altamash Institute of Dental Medicine, Karachi 75500, Pakistan)

  • Naseer Ahmed

    (Department of Prosthodontics, Altamash Institute of Dental Medicine, Karachi 75500, Pakistan)

  • Md. Ibrahim Khalil

    (Departamento de Odontologia, Clínica Internacional CIRO, University De La Salle, Av. Benjamín Franklin 45, Colonia Condesa, Cuauhtémoc, Ciudad de México 06140, Mexico)

  • Afsheen Maqsood

    (Department of Oral Pathology, Bahria University Medical and Dental College, Karachi 75530, Pakistan)

  • Akram Mojidea M Alshammari

    (Department of Preventive Dental Science, College of Dentistry, Jouf University, Sakaka 72345, Saudi Arabia)

  • Abdulelah Zaid Alshammari

    (Department of Preventive Dental Science, College of Dentistry, Jouf University, Sakaka 72345, Saudi Arabia)

  • Meshari Musallam Mohammed Alsharari

    (Department of Preventive Dental Science, College of Dentistry, Jouf University, Sakaka 72345, Saudi Arabia)

  • Abdulelah Hamdan Alrushaydan

    (Department of Preventive Dental Science, College of Dentistry, Jouf University, Sakaka 72345, Saudi Arabia)

  • Abdulaziz Fandi Alruwaili

    (Department of Preventive Dental Science, College of Dentistry, Jouf University, Sakaka 72345, Saudi Arabia)

  • Mohammad Khursheed Alam

    (Department of Preventive Dental Science, College of Dentistry, Jouf University, Sakaka 72345, Saudi Arabia
    First Corresponding Author.)

Abstract

The unprecedented situation of the coronavirus pandemic has impacted the entire world, with dental practice being significantly affected. In this study, we aim to evaluate the operational implications and risk assessment of the coronavirus in dental practice. This observational study comprised the electronic distribution of two surveys, one to patients and the second to dental professionals. The first questionnaire consisted of demographics along with 15 closed-ended questions. The second questionnaire consisted of demographics along with 43 questions from eight domains: financial impact, psychological impact, patient satisfaction, hygiene, patient management, COVID-19 lockdown, perspective, and practicing dentistry after the COVID-19 pandemic. The statistical analysis was performed using SPSS-25. A linear regression test was applied to assess the effect of the dependent variable (patient’s satisfaction with the dental practice) on independent variables (age, gender, education). The ANOVA test was applied to assess the effect of the independent variables (financial impact, psychological impact, patient satisfaction, hygiene, patient management, lockdown, perspective, and post-COVID-19) on the dependent variables (age, gender, education, experience of dentists, qualification of dentists). A total of 711 patients and dental professionals participated in this study, with a response rate of 88.87%. Approximately 67.9% of the patients felt comfortable in the dental clinic, with 74.5% being satisfied with the dental clinic’s services. The majority (77.4%) of the dentists were psychologically affected. Many of the participants chose to use masks, gowns, respiratory equipment, and face shields for protection. Teledentistry was preferred by the majority of dentists in non-emergency cases. Many of the dentists chose alternative procedures to minimize the generation of aerosols. The majority of the dentists suggested changes in the dynamics of dentistry in the post-COVID era, such as the suggestion that the management of the finances of a dental practice along with infection control protocols should be practiced more optimally. Patients and dental professionals were well aware of the necessary precautionary measures required to combat the coronavirus, as well as the implications of different operational measures along with performing risk assessment, keeping in mind the changing dynamics of dentistry.

Suggested Citation

  • Saba Wajeeh & Abhishek Lal & Naseer Ahmed & Md. Ibrahim Khalil & Afsheen Maqsood & Akram Mojidea M Alshammari & Abdulelah Zaid Alshammari & Meshari Musallam Mohammed Alsharari & Abdulelah Hamdan Alrus, 2021. "Operational Implications and Risk Assessment of COVID-19 in Dental Practices," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(22), pages 1-13, November.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:22:p:12244-:d:684880
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Kacper Nijakowski & Kornela Cieślik & Kacper Łaganowski & Dawid Gruszczyński & Anna Surdacka, 2021. "The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Spectrum of Performed Dental Procedures," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(7), pages 1-12, March.
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