Impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic on periodontal practice: A questionnaire survey.

Abstract

AimThis cross‐sectional study sought to investigate the factors possibly related to the impact caused by the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic in the practice of periodontists, in two countries.Materials and methodsA total of 254 periodontists with active periodontics licensing in Brazil and the United States participated in the survey. Data were collected through an online questionnaire and the dependent variable was the perceived impact of the pandemic on periodontists' practice routines. Odds ratios were assessed by logistic regression analysis.ResultsPeriodontists in private practice were 83% less likely to report a significant impact of the pandemic on their clinical routine as compared with professionals who work in the public sector or in academic institutions (CI 95%: 0.05–0.47). The financial impact of the pandemic was significantly associated with a perceived severe impact of the pandemic on their routines (OR: 1.36; CI 95%: 1.16–1.61). Professionals who have enhanced their hand‐washing routine were more likely to report a significant impact of the pandemic by 3.41 times (CI 95%: 1.28–9.04) relative to those who have not altered their hand‐washing protocols.ConclusionThe pandemic is associated with a negative impact on the practice of periodontists, especially those working in public sectors and academic institutions.