AWARENESS ON DENTAL MANAGEMENT OF COVID-19 PATIENTS AMONG UNDERGRADUATE DENTAL STUDENTS- A SURVEY STUDY

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: The COVID-19 pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 has claimed thousands of lives worldwide. Despite the availability of prevention guidelines and recommendations on infection control many dental practitioners lack the minimum requirements for infection control.

AIM: The main objective of the study is to assess the level of knowledge and  attitude regarding the Coronavirus disease and infection control message among dental students and dentists.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross sectional questionnaire study was conducted in a private dental college in Chennai, tamil nadu. Study population comprises undergraduate students in a private dental college.  A total of 109 respondents participated in the survey. The data obtained were analysed through Chi square test.

RESULTS: The survey study results observed that about 62% of respondents were 1st year students and about 38% were second year students. 41.28% were aware that coronavirus is also known as SARS-COV-2. 50.46% were aware that infection may spread through saliva. The result obtained was statistically significant (pvalue<0.05).

CONCLUSION: The findings of the study revealed that most of the subjects had adequate knowledge regarding COVID19, yet there were notable deficiencies in some of the important aspects. As the number of COVID-19 cases continue to rise, it is important that dental students keep abreast of the updated knowledge on this moving field. There should  be more training programmes about COVID-19. Continuing education programmes for dental students will increase their awareness.