Patients awareness, perception, and willingness toward dental treatment during COVID-19 pandemic in India

Abstract

Objectives: COVID-19 has badly affected the global economy, also affecting the health-care sector with a major effect on dentistry. It is important to understand the reason behind it from patient’s perspective, by knowing their awareness, perception, and willingness toward dental treatment during COVID-19 times. This might help the dentist to increase patient inflow. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using an online survey. A validated questionnaire was circulated to participants by investigators, consisting questions related to demographic data, awareness, perception, and willingness toward dental treatment. A total of 616 participants responded. Statistical analysis was performed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 22. Results: More than 90% of participants are aware of COVID-19 and various precautions to be taken to prevent the spreads of the disease. The majority of participants about 74% are aware that dentists are at higher risk of acquiring COVID-19 infection. Many respondents 76.6% are afraid to visit the dentist, due to fear of acquiring COVID-19 infection 74% prefer to delay dental treatment. Around 71.8% are willing to consult through teledentistry, 69.8% are not willing to provide medical certificates, and 58.2% are willing to pay more fees than usual for the extra precaution taken by the dentist to prevent COVID-19 spread. Conclusion: People are afraid to visit dental clinics due to fear of cross infection. People are ready to pay more for precautions taken by their dentists. People should be made aware of precautionary measures taken by the dentist so that they feel safe to visit a dental clinic during COVID-19 times.