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.

Perspectives from Dentists, Dental Assistants, Students, and Patients on Dental Care Adapted to the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Survey

“…This may be due to the idea that all patients have to be considered as potentially infectious. These concerns are consistent with the idea of multiple dentists performing no dental procedures except emergencies [ 31 ]. Corresponding to the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Hessen, we found higher levels of anxiety regarding self-infection and infection of others in all groups, but the highest levels were found among dental assistants, even though all HCP worked at the same place and time during the pandemic.…”

Perceived Stress in Dentists and Dental Students of Latin America and the Caribbean during the Mandatory Social Isolation Measures for the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…For students, this meant new academic responsibilities mediated by remote and virtual strategies and some additional financial burdens in the context of great difficulties, among other circumstances [14,29]. In professionals, new labor adaptations were created, and this caused a decrease in working hours and even suspended face-to-face clinical activities [8][9][10]21]. Therefore, a decrease in income and an increase in domestic responsibilities were found [9,10].…”

“…In general terms, dental practice has undergone numerous changes during the pandemic, specifically considering lockdowns and isolation measures. Studies conducted globally involving dental staff show that this situation has had a significant impact on their personal life, financial status, and the prospects of their professional career [9][10][11][12]. Similarly, other effects of the pandemic including the field of nutrition (a possible increase of overweight and obesity) [13], changes in family dynamics by the presence of children, or elders that represent some burden when they are economic providers, household income, among others [9,10].…”

“…Studies conducted globally involving dental staff show that this situation has had a significant impact on their personal life, financial status, and the prospects of their professional career [9][10][11][12]. Similarly, other effects of the pandemic including the field of nutrition (a possible increase of overweight and obesity) [13], changes in family dynamics by the presence of children, or elders that represent some burden when they are economic providers, household income, among others [9,10]. When mental health is considered, several studies have been conducted to evaluate the impact of the pandemic on perceived stress, anxiety, depression, and other mental health indicators in dentists, dental students, and support personnel [14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22].…”

Assessing SARS-CoV-2 Infection Rate among Romanian Dental Practitioners

“…When assessing the implementation of national and international COVID-19 guidelines for dental practice, we found that 97.83% of the surveyed dental offices implemented protective equipment for doctors [ 28 ] (PPE), 82.05% patient triage, 89.74% proper time gaps between patients, and 95.66% patient temperature checks. In line with international literature, this study also provides evidence for the effectiveness of PPE as an essential regulation for preventing the spread of the virus to and from healthcare providers and patients [ 29 , 30 , 31 ].…”