Psychological distress facing the COVID-19 pandemic in dental interns from the Peruvian capital: A cross-sectional study under a multivariable regression model.

Aim: Psychological distress can be considered a maladaptive response to a stressful situation that occurs when external events or stressors impose demands that cannot be coped with. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the sociodemographic factors associated with psychological distress in dental interns from the Peruvian capital facing the COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and methods: This analytical, observational, cross-sectional study was conducted on 392 Stomatology interns from the Peruvian capital from June to July 2022. The validated COVID-19 Peritraumatic Distress Index (CPDI) scale to detect the levels of psychological distress consisted of four dimensions: negative mood, changes in behavior and cognitive skills, fatigue and hyperreactivity, and somatization. Pearson's chi-square and Fisher's exact test were used for bivariable analysis. In addition, a logit model was used to assess the influence of variables: sex (X1), age group (X2), marital status (X3), monthly economic income (X4), working area in the capital city (X5), and living with people vulnerable to COVID-19 (X6), with the psychological distress levels, considering a significance p < 0.05. Results: The prevalence of psychological distress in dental interns was severe in 6.4% [95% confidence interval (CI): 3.9-8.8%] and mild in 37.8% (95% CI: 33.0-42.6%). According to bivariable analysis, the levels of psychological distress by COVID-19 were not significantly associated with sex (p = 0.190), age group (p = 0.418), marital status (p = 0.554), monthly economic income (p = 0.327), working area in the capital city (p = 0.993), and living with people vulnerable to COVID-19 (p = 0.134). In addition, according to the logistic regression analysis, none of the variables studied was considered an influential factor (p > 0.05) in psychological distress presented by dental interns. Conclusion: The 44.2% of dental interns from the Peruvian capital presented psychological distress facing the COVID-19 pandemic, without any of the possible associated variables of this study significantly affecting this behavioral disorder.

Psychological Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Dental Interns in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: A Cross-sectional Survey.

BACKGROUND: Dental profession is labeled as a high-risk profession, due to which dental care professionals are under tremendous pressure during the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this study was to assess the psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on dental interns in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among dental interns from different universities in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The data were collected using a validated Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale-21 Items (DASS-21) questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were presented using frequencies (n) and percentages (%). Chi-square and Fisher exact tests were used to assess the association between sociodemographic data (age, gender, nationality, marital status, and history of physical and mental illness) and levels of depression, anxiety, and stress. A p < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. RESULTS: A total of 160 dental interns were invited to participate in this survey; out of which 110 participants responded yielding a response rate of 78%. The mean age of the study participants was 25.1 years. About 65% of the participants were female. Only 14.5% of the subjects reported having a past history of physical or mental illness. Depression, anxiety, and stress were identified in 11.9%, 7.3%, and 0.9% of the dental interns, respectively. Demographic characteristics did not appear to influence depression, anxiety, or stress levels (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic has affected the mental health of dental interns. The presence of depression, anxiety, and stress among dental interns highlights the need for special intervention and support programs to promote mental health and well-being among dental interns. HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE: Khanagar SB, Alfadley A. Psychological Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Dental Interns in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: A Cross-sectional Survey. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2020;13(5):508-512.