Perceived vulnerability to Coronavirus infection: impact on dental practice

Abstract

SARS-CoV-2 is a new virus responsible for the outbreak of the respiratory disease COVID-19, which has spread to several countries around the world, causing considerable consternation and a fear of contagions in global healthcare settings. The objective of this study is to identify, among Madrid's adult population, the impact of COVID-19 on self-perceived vulnerability, infectiousness, aversion to germs, and other behaviors in the current situation regarding dental practice. This cross-sectional observational study involves 1,008 persons randomly surveyed on the streets of Madrid, Spain between March 1 and March 8, 2020. Their perceived vulnerability to disease was measured using the perceived vulnerability to disease scale. An additional questionnaire evaluated basic sociodemographic aspects, medical history, personal hygiene behavior, willingness to go to certain places and the perception of the risk of contagion when going to a dental practice. There are significant differences by sex on the germ aversion subscale (p < 0.05) and in the risk of waiting in the waiting room (p < 0.01), tooth extraction ((p < 0.05), endodontics (p < 0.05) and fillings ((p < 0.05). Women consider the risk to be higher than men do. The risk group (over 60 and with systemic disease) has significant differences on the subscales of infectivity (p < 0.01) and germ aversion (p < 0.01). Our study shows high levels of vulnerability regarding contracting COVID-19 and avoiding dental care as perceived by the population over 60 years old and with a systemic disease.

Aumento de Óbitos Domiciliares devido a Parada Cardiorrespiratória em Tempos de Pandemia de COVID-19

“…Em um estudo recente, Gonzales-Olmo et al, 13 com dados da população de Madrid, demonstrou elevados níveis de auto-percepção individual de maior vulnerabilidade em relação à infecção pela COVID-19 ao procurar atendimento odontológico, considerado um serviço essencial de saúde. Assim, os pesquisadores observaram que a amostra de indivíduos com mais de 60 anos com doenças sistêmicas evitou o atendimento odontológico na maioria das vezes.…”

“…Assim, os pesquisadores observaram que a amostra de indivíduos com mais de 60 anos com doenças sistêmicas evitou o atendimento odontológico na maioria das vezes. 13 …”

COVID-19 challenges to dentistry in the new pandemic epicenter: Brazil

“…A survey with 669 dental practitioners from 30 countries [5] showed that 87% were afraid of getting infected with COVID-19 from patients or co-workers, and 90% felt anxious while treating patients who coughed or were suspected of COVID-19 infection. In contrast, a survey with general population in Spain [6] indicated that above 90% of respondents were not afraid of contracting COVID-19 at dental offices, nor would cancel a dental appointment. These differences in behavior could be related to factors including differences in local COVID-19 contraction and death rates, or even how local healthcare systems are managing the pandemic.…”

The Mental Health Consequences of Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic in Dentistry

“…On the other hand, a high number of patients have been canceling their previous appointments, 17 and others have perceived vulnerability to infection during dental practice. 24 A point often overlooked is the lack of inclusion of dental personnel in the public health emergency management system. In most countries, dentists do not participate in the direct care of patients infected with COVID-19.…”