Awareness, Attitudes, and Infection Control Measures of Dentists in Turkey Regarding COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Objective: Corona virus disease is a serious acute respiratory infection that has spread worldwide. The aim of this survey study was to evaluate the knowledge levels, attitudes, and approaches of dentists in Turkey and to investigate the infection control measures applied by the dentists in the dental clinics regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. 
 Methods: This survey consisted of 27 questions and was conducted in May 2020. The questionnaire, which was distributed online to the participants through their personal accounts, included questions about the socio-demographic characteristics of the participants, their knowledge and awareness of COVID-19 infection, their approach to dental procedures before and during the pandemic, and the control measures they took in dental clinics. The collected data were subjected to statistical analysis using Chi-square tests and P values of < 0.05 were accepted as statistically significant. 
 Results: Eight hundred twenty-eight dentists completed the questionnaire forming a response rate of 51.8%. The majority of the participants demonstrated a high level of knowledge and awareness regarding COVID-19. The statistical analysis showed that there was no association between the gender of dentists and the applied infection control measures (P > 0.05), while there were significant associations between the health sectors and experience years with the infection control measures (P < 0.05). 
 Conclusion: These results demonstrated an adequate level of knowledge regarding COVID-19 among dentists in Turkey. Additionally, the rate of using personal protective equipment during dental treatment was high.