Accuracy and perceptions of teledentistry in KSA during the COVID-19 pandemic: A single-centre randomised controlled trial.

Objective: Teledentistry conveniently delivers dental care when in-person visits are restricted, such as during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed to assess Saudi Arabian patients' accuracy, perceptions, knowledge, attitudes, and challenges regarding teledentistry used for diagnosis during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as its accuracy, versus traditional dental visits. Methods: A single-blind, parallel-group randomised controlled trial design was used. The 70 participants were randomised equally into study and control groups. While the control group waited, the study group received teledentistry diagnoses which were compared with baseline clinical examinations retrieved from the UQU dental hospital, Makkah, KSA. After the intervention was completed, all participants answered a questionnaire. Results: There were no significant differences between the groups in knowledge or attitudes regarding teledentistry. However, study group participants had more favourable experiences with teledentistry. They reported good accuracy with diagnosis and recording of their chief complaints (74.3%), number of missing teeth (74.3%), number of filled teeth (71.4%), and oral hygiene status (65.7%). Additionally, moderate accuracy was reported on recording of health complaints (51.4%) and number of decayed teeth (40.?%). The number of decayed teeth and the decayed, missing, and filled teeth (DMF) index scores reported using teledentistry were significantly (p < 0.05) higher than reported in the baseline examinations. Conclusion: Teledentistry is widely accepted by patients and can be efficient for preliminary examinations, particularly during pandemic lockdowns or in more frequently occurring situations such as severe weather conditions, but subsequent clinical examination is necessary for maximally accurate diagnoses.

Hand Hygiene Knowledge and Practices among Domestic Hajj Pilgrims: Implications for Future Mass Gatherings Amidst COVID-19.

This study examined Hajj pilgrims' knowledge and reported practice of hand hygiene. In Hajj 2019, a cross-sectional survey was undertaken in Mina, Makkah, Saudi Arabia, of domestic Saudi pilgrims aged ≥18 years by using a self-administered Arabic questionnaire that captured data on pilgrims' socio-demographics, hand hygiene knowledge, and reported practices of hand cleaning following certain actions. A total of 348 respondents aged 18 to 63 (median 32) years completed the survey, of whom 200 (57.5%) were female. The mean (±standard deviation (SD)) hand hygiene knowledge score was 6.7 (±SD 1.9). Two hundred and seventy one (77.9%) and 286 (82.2%) of respondents correctly identified that hand hygiene can prevent respiratory and gastrointestinal infections respectively, but 146 (42%) were not aware that it prevents hand-foot-mouth disease. Eighty-eight (25.3%) respondents erroneously reported that hand hygiene prevents HIV. Washing hands with water and soap was the most preferred method practiced before a meal (67.5% (235/348)), after a meal (80.2% (279/348)), after toilet action (81.6% (284/348)), when hands were visibly soiled (86.2% (300/348)), and after waste disposal (61.5% (214/348)). Hajj pilgrims demonstrated a good knowledge and practice of hand hygiene, but there are gaps that are vital to control outbreaks such as COVID-19.