Evaluation of Dentists' Anxiety Levels during the Coronavirus Pandemic

ABSTRACT

Objective: Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) is a highly contagious infection whose possible transmission routes are airborne droplets, close contact with an infected person or contaminated surface, blood, or saliva. These possible routes of transmission are closely related to the work conditions of dentists. The present study assessed the anxiety levels of dentists and related factors during the COVID-19 pandemic using the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI). Material(s) and Method(s) A questionnaire consisting of 33 questions on the anxiety levels of dentists related to infection COVID-19 was used. The questionnaires were sent to dentists via online platforms. Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used to compare quantitative variables. Result(s) In total, 260 dentists were included in the study. The median (minimum-maximum) BAI score of participants was 28 (19-75), which displayed moderate anxiety. There was a statistically significant difference between the genders in terms of BAI scores (p<0.001). No statistically significant difference was found between ages (p=0.79). Of the participants, 64.6% (n=168) stated that the level of income decreased, and 69.2% stated that safe working conditions decreased. Conclusion(s) During the COVID-19 pandemic, dentists were one of the most affected groups by the pandemic due to dental settings. Gender and the presence of chronic disease were the main factors that negatively affected the anxiety level of dentists. As the developments regarding the pandemic are updated daily, dentists should follow them and update their information through various platforms. Copyright ©Meandros Medical and Dental Journal, Published by Galenos Publishing House.