Dentists Perception to Personal Protection Equipment Use during the COVID-19 Pandemic (Analytical Study)

ABSTRACT

Background: It has been demonstrated that the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) by health care workers, including dentists, reduces the transmission of COVID-19. PPE lowers patient morbidity and death as well as illness and absenteeism. Aim: The purpose of the study was to evaluate the impact of dentists' perceptions of personal infection control and their level of trust in PPE as part of the dental profession's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and Method: The sample size was (388) participants distributed as specialist, general dental practitioners, dental branch practitioners, and rotators. Google form prepared with specific questions;demographical and knowledge questions translated to the mother language (Arabic Language). Structured and distributed online by sharing the link through electronic platforms. Two responses were used in a statistical analysis using the SPSS version (SPSS Package version (21). Significant p value of 0.05 or less was used. Descriptive statistics were used in the data analysis to analyze the percentage, and mean values. All questions employ the spearman test to determine correlations. Kruskal-Wallis for comparing differences between groups including qualification and experience period between participants. Result: Significant results were shown in both rotators and general practitioners for comparison of different qualification levels between dentists. All dentists had good knowledge regarding the PPE. Conclusions: Overall, dentists in the current study had good knowledge of the PPE used for COVID-19 protection. However, it was discovered that knowledge is important for rotators and general practitioners in the majority of the PPE questions. © 2022, Ain Shams University Faculty of Medicine. All rights reserved.