Abstract
BACKGROUND:Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, the virus that causes COVID-19, mainly spreads through respiratory droplets. The dental profession is particularly at risk. Routine dental care was suspended after the announcement of the first lockdown in India. This makes the group vulnerable to psychosocial consequences. The present study aims to evaluate the psychosocial issues among dental professionals during COVID-19 pandemic.MATERIALS AND METHODS:A cross-sectional study was conducted among 627 dental professionals of India, using online Google Forms from April 23, 2020, through April 30, 2020. Participants were evaluated using self-constructed and self-administered personal and professional hardship and fear checklist specifically developed for this study. The 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) Depression Scale and 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale and PHQ-15 were used to assess the depression, anxiety, and somatic symptoms.RESULTS:Fear had a remarkable impact on 80.7% of responders. Among the participants, 40.5%, 24.5%, and 30.6% reported symptoms of depression, anxiety, and somatic symptoms, respectively. Somatic symptoms were significantly associated with gender (P = 0.000). Work setting was significantly associated with depression (P = 0.011) and anxiety symptoms (P = 0.001). Concern, worry, and fear due to COVID-19 were significantly associated with depression (P = 0.000), anxiety (P = 0.033), and somatic symptoms (P = 0.009). There was a positive correlation between depression and anxiety symptoms (P = 0.01) and between age and somatic symptoms (P = 0.5).CONCLUSIONS:This group reported a high level of depression, anxiety, and somatic symptoms. Female dental professionals and private practitioners had more depression, anxiety, and somatic symptoms. Immediate and special intervention is needed for this group. Further exploration into the nature and its effects of the psychological symptoms may be required.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
