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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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OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine the knowledge, attitude, and practical behavior of parents regarding their children's oral health in New Delhi. METHODOLOGY: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 500 parents who reported in outpatient department in the Department of General Medicine at Maulana Azad Medical College and in the Department of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry at Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences, New Delhi. Data were collected through a self-administered questionnaire. The statistical analysis was performed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences software (21.0 version; Inc., Chicago IL, USA) for descriptive and multivariate analysis, and the level of statistical significance used in this study was chosen at P < 0.005. RESULTS: The results of this explorative research showed that the sample selected had a relatively good knowledge regarding the importance of the primary teeth, the fact that problems in primary teeth can affect the permanent teeth, brushing frequency on daily basis, and brushing aids. Participants were aware about the effect of prolonged bottle feeding and sticky foods on the dentition. On the other hand, the majority of participants failed to recognize the ideal time of first dental visit. Parents showed positive attitudes regarding the importance of regular dental visit and their role in their children's daily oral hygiene habits. CONCLUSION: In New Delhi, parental awareness and attitudes regarding their children's oral health are relatively good. However, the high dental caries prevalence in children in Central New Delhi contradict the study findings, which prove the fact that changing parental behavior and attitudes toward their children's oral health is far more important than increasing their knowledge only.
