Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on periodontal health practice by dental health professionals in Eastern India

Abstract

This cross-sectional study was conducted to investigate the possible factors and challenges associated with the perception of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the periodontal practice by dental surgeons in Eastern India. A total of 150dental health practitioners practicing periodontics participated in the survey. Data werecollected through an online questionnaire and the dependent variable was the perceived impact of the pandemic on periodontal health practitioners'clinical routines. Odds ratios were assessed by logistic regression analysis. The present professional status was seen to have a risk estimate of 1.955. The gender distribution had a risk estimate of 1.979 and also the minimally invasive and conservative procedures had a risk estimate of 2.282. These factors were shown to have a major effect on the regular practice of the professionals. Other factors including attending awareness programs (0.518), practice type (0.346), practice setting (0.093), patients treated regularly (0.931) and replacement of intra-oral imaging (0.384) was seen to affect the practice comparatively lesser. The financial impact of the pandemic was significantly associated with a perceived severe impact of the pandemic on their routines.