Knowledge, risk perception, and attitudes of Nigerian dentists toward covid-19: pilot study

COVID-19 is a highly communicable viral respiratory infectious disease with potential life-threatening capabilities. As caregivers, the healthcare practitioners are at risk of contracting disease.Aim: To explore the knowledge, risk perception, and attitudes of Nigerian dentists toward COVID-19.Material and Methods: This pilot study was a survey of 69 dentists in Nigeria using an e-questionnaire. Collected data was analysed using SPSS version 22 software. Results: The majority (62.3%) of the respondents were within the age range of 20 ­ 29 years, 50.7% were males. All of the respondents had heard of COVID-19 and the most common source of information on the disease was the social media. They all knew about the cause of COVID-19 and also that the virus can be transmitted through respiratory droplets. The majority (≥76%) of them knew about the incubation period, symptoms, and safety measures to be adopted in curbing COVID-19 transmission. They all perceived COVID-19 to be highly contagious and a potential cause of respiratory failure. Amidst other findings, they all felt that it is not safe to see a COVID-19 patient without personal protective gears. Only 4 (5.8%) agreed that HIV/AIDS is better than COVID-19 by far while only 65.2% ([29+16]/69) of them indicated that they would like to help people that are infected with COVID-19. Conclusion: This study suggests that Nigerian dentists have sufficient knowledge and high level of risk perception of COVID19. Despite this high knowledge level, some few of them are still afraid of associating with people having the disease.

Dentists and undergraduate dental students require more information relating to child abuse / Dentistas e estudantes de odontologia carecem de melhor informação sobre abuso infantil

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the preparation for, and the appropriate approach of dentists to the diagnosis of patient mistreatment. METHOD: This investigation was conducted among sixty randomly selected dentistry students: twenty 1st year students, ten 5th year students at our institution, ten 5th year students at the Faculty of Dentistry, Lisbon University, sixteen dentists at the University Clinic of our institution, and four dentists with private offices. Students and dentists took part voluntarily. The exclusion criteria were (a) prior attendance of another degree, (b) cooperation with social organizations; and, for professionals, less than five years of experience. Data analysis was performed through descriptive and inferential statistics (chi-squared test) for a confidence level of 95%. RESULTS: Among dentists, 38% do not know which area of the organism is the most affected, 43% know it is proper to officially report the fact; out of these, 48% know that the information may be provided anonymously. There are 47% who state that they received no undergraduate training in this area. However, 60% of the students in the last year declare they did receive training. CONCLUSIONS: Dentists are not sufficiently familiar with the subject of child abuse. A regular approach to this matter in undergraduate education is important. It will be very useful to create a working tool unifying the criteria for screening, diagnosing, and registering such events.

RESUMO OBJETIVO: avaliar a preparação dos dentistas para diagnóstico e manejo de pacientes pediátricos vítimas de abuso e maus-tratos. MÉTODO: A pesquisa foi realizada entre sessenta dentistas ou estudantes de odontologia selecionados aleatoriamente: vinte alunos do primeiro ano, dez do quinto ano entre alunos de nossa instituição, dez do quinto ano entre alunos da Faculdade de Odontologia da Universidade de Lisboa, dezesseis dentistas da Clínica Universitária de nossa instituição e quatro dentistas com consultórios privados Eles participaram de forma voluntária e os critérios de exclusão foram: (a) atendimento anterior de um outro curso universitário, (b) a cooperação com organizações sociais. Para os profissionais, menos de cinco anos de experiência. A análise de dados foi realizada por meio de estatística descritiva e inferencial (teste do qui-quadrado) para um nível de confiança de 95%. RESULTADOS: Os resultados mostram que, entre os dentistas, 38% não sabem qual é a área mais afetada do organismo, 43% sabem que é adequado informar oficialmente o fato; destes, 48% sabem que as informações podem ser fornecidas de forma anônima. Há 47% que afirmam não terem recebido instrução nesta área durante seus cusros de graduação. No entanto, 60% dos estudantes do último ano de declararam ter recebido tal instrução. CONCLUSÕES: Os dentistas não estão suficientemente familiarizados com o assunto. Uma abordagem regular deste assunto em ensino de graduação é importante. Será muito útil para criar uma ferramenta de trabalho unificando os critérios para o rastreio, diagnóstico, e registrar tais eventos.