Fear Factor in Seeking Dental Care among Saudis during COVID-19 Pandemic.

Maria Salem Ibrahim,Abdulaziz Alamri,Abrar Tounsi,Mohamed Bamashmous,Abdullah Al Madani,Hala Alibrahim

doi:10.3390/ijerph182010589

Abstract

The recent coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic led to major lifestyle changes. The present study sought to assess factors associated with fear to seek dental care during COVID-19 pandemic in Saudi Arabia. This cross-sectional study was conducted during the COVID-19 outbreak in 2020. An online questionnaire was filled by a convenient sample of adult Saudi residents through mobile instant messaging application. The following measures were collected: sociodemographic characteristics, fear of COVID-19 using validated Fears of Illness and Virus Evaluation scale, fear to seek dental care, perceived health status, and COVID-19 experience. There were 826 participants involved in this study (541 females and 285 males, mean age: 38.8 ± 13.29 years). Fear to seek dental care was significantly higher among females, younger age groups, people who perceived poor general and oral health, and people who perceived high risk of contracting the virus in dental clinics. After controlling for confounders, fear to seek dental care was significantly higher among the age group of 35–44 years, those who perceived high and moderate risk of COVID-19 infection in dental clinics, and among participants who reported untreated dental conditions. Fear that Others Get Sick, Fear of the Impact on Social Life, and Behaviors Related to Illness and Virus Fears were significantly associated with high levels of fear to seek dental care. Within the study’s limitations, fear of COVID-19 negatively impacted the study population’s willingness to seek dental treatment. Factors such as age, perceived risk of COVID-19 infection in dental clinics, and untreated dental conditions were associated with fear to seek dental care.

Highlights

Humans encounter multiple threats to their health and safety, such as bioterrorism and newly emerging infectious diseases
The participants who perceived moderate risk and high risk of COVID-19 infection in dental clinics had a significantly higher likelihood of fear (β: 0.51, 95%Confidence Interval (CI): 0.25, 0.78, p < 0.001) and (β: 1.02, 95%CI: 0.76, 1.29, p < 0.001), respectively
Moderate and high risk of contracting COVID-19 infection through dental clinics were strongly associated with fear to seek dental care (β: 0.51, 95%CI: 0.25, 0.78, p < 0.001) and (β: 1.02, 95%CI: 0.76, 1.29, p < 0.001), respectively

Summary

Introduction

Humans encounter multiple threats to their health and safety, such as bioterrorism and newly emerging infectious diseases. 2019 (COVID-19) has been characterized by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a public health emergency of an international concern [1]. COVID-19 cases and over 4 million deaths were registered worldwide [2]. The need for medical supplies and units increased [3]. As response to this critical situation, many countries placed travel restrictions and quarantine to control the spread of the infection [4]. The WHO provided infection control measures to limit the spread of COVID-19, such as social distancing through avoiding closeness to others, mandating face masks, and avoiding contact with wild animals [5].

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