ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Dentistry is one of the professions that are most exposed to the contagion with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID19). However, the prevalence and positivity rates of COVID19 are low in dentists, indicating that the current measures of infection control may be sufficient to prevent infection in dental settings. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to determine whether the preventive measures for COVID19 during the mandatory social isolation were followed by dental students and dentists in Latin America and the Caribbean in 2020. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A crosssectional study was conducted using anonymous virtual surveys in a convenience sample of 2,036 dental students and dentists from 21 Latin American and Caribbean coun tries. The variables were the preventive measures for COVID19 and the sociodemographic characteristics. Descriptive and bivariate analyses were performed. RESULTS: The final sample included 2,036 dental students and dentists. The selfperceived level of know ledge about COVID19 was found to be associated with age, sex, body mass index (BMI), the type of aca demic training, having a specialty in the case of professionals, the place of origin, and having met someone with COVID19 (p < 0.05). The selfperceived level of concern regarding COVID19 was associated with sex, BMI and having met someone with COVID19 (p < 0.05). The number of days in the mandatory social isolation was associated with age, the type of academic training, having a specialty, the place of origin, and having met someone with COVID19 (p < 0.05). The confinement level was associated with age, sex, BMI, the type of academic training, and having met someone with COVID19 (p < 0.05). Following the preven tive measures for COVID19 was associated with age, the type of academic training, having a specialty, the place of origin, and having met someone with COVID19 (p < 0.05). The use of face masks, hand washing and social distancing were associated with age, BMI, the type of academic training, the place of origin, and having met someone with COVID19 (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Dental students and dentists followed the preventive measures for COVID19 during the mandatory social isolation period in Latin America and the Caribbean in 2020.
