“PRACTICE MODIFICATIONS PRELIMINARY TO PERIODONTAL TREATMENT DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC BY THE ORAL HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS TO CONTAIN ITS SPREAD: A QUESTIONNAIRE SURVEY.”

Abstract

Introduction: Oral health care providers should make some serious practice modications to curb the spread of COVID-19 in a dental setting, especially before periodontal treatment, due to the unique characteristics of dental procedures, a large number of droplets and aerosols are generated. We aimed to evaluate the knowledge, perception, attitude and awareness about the COVID-19 pandemic, practice modications made by oral health care providers (OHP) before periodontal therapy. Methods: A 25 Item questionnaire was structured and distributed among oral health care providers. A convenient sampling method was used for data collection (n=251), and the distribution of responses was presented as frequencies and percentages. Results: 251 participants out of whom 69.7% were 20-30 years, 6.8% of them were above 50 years of age and the male to female ratio 1:1.5, their educational status was BDS 44.6%, MDS 40.6% and Diploma in dental hygiene 14.8%, who mainly were practicing in urban dental setting (66.1%) their total Knowledge score was 6 (Bloom's criteria) and their source of data was WHO guidelines (78%). Personal Protective Equipment, used while performing aerosol-generating procedures for treating periodontal diseases, was disposable type 85% and reusable were only 15%. Audiovisual clips,Pamphlets, andPosters/Bannerswereusedby54.2%toeducatepatientsregardinglimitingthe spreadofCOVID-19. Conclusion: There is a need for regular educational interventions and training programs on infection control practices for COVID-19 across all oral healthcare professionals. Efcient and practical strategies are required by OHPto prevent, control, and contain the spread of COVID-19.