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An emergent pneumonia outbreak, denoted as coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) by the World Health Organization (WHO) originated in Wuhan City, in late December 2019 and spread at an alarming rate to become a pandemic affecting more than 200 countries. The COVID-19 is caused by a novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV), which is highly contagious and is associated with a high mortality rate. The current COVID-19 outbreak has created a major havoc among every strata of the society with a detrimental impact on healthcare professionals, including dentists limiting their capabilities at large. The transmission of virus through aerosols produced by high- and low-speed handpieces, ultrasonic scalers, air/water syringes, or an infected patient coughing, and even when taking intraoral radiographs has made it difficult for dental personnel to provide even the most basic services to the needful. The virus survives on environmental surfaces for extended periods of time, including metal and plastic surfaces commonly found in dental offices making it utmost necessary to follow the precautions and recommendations issued by various organizations in order to contain its spread. This article aims to provide the latest knowledge encompassing the various aspects of COVID-19 to pediatric dentists in India. HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE: Goswami M, Sharma S, Kumar G, et al. Dealing with "Coronavirus Pandemic": A Dental Outlook. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2020;13(3):269-278.
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BACKGROUND: Widespread use of internet in the modern era has allowed increased access to seek medical and dental education by self-education. However, limited evidence is reported regarding the use of internet to gather oral health information by patients reporting to dental hospital in a centrally located institute of New Delhi, India. AIM: The aim of the present cross-sectional study was to evaluate the parental attitude toward the use of internet related to child's oral health and treatment. DESIGN: The data was collected from 500 patients from the Outpatient Department of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences, New Delhi. A self-administered questionnaire with open ended questions assessing parental attitude toward the use of internet for oral health information was designed, and patients willing to participate were included. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present cross-sectional study was conducted among 500 parents selected randomly from the Out Patient Department. The participants were given the questionnaire which assessed their attitude towards use of internet related to child's oral health and treatment. The data was collected and statistical analysis was performed. RESULTS: 86% reported to have high school education, 7% to have middle school education, 3% to be diploma holders, 2% to be graduates and postgraduates, and only 2% as professionals. 56.1% of the participants use internet to gather information on oral health, whereas only 41.9% reported that they have access to internet but do not use to search information related to oral health and disease. 26.1% of the participants often search information on internet before consulting a doctor, and 29.3% discuss treatment plan after searching from internet with their doctor. CONCLUSION: Since the use of internet by younger adults seeking information on oral health seems to be more prevalent among educated people, less prevalence is reported in this study. Majority of the participants were aware regarding the harmful effects of such information and also reported that treatment or medication searched on internet made their problem worse than before.
