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COVID-19 Outbreak Perception in Italian Dentists

Author

Listed:
  • Alberto De Stefani

    (Department of Neuroscience, Section of Dentistry, University of Padua, 35100 Padua, Italy)

  • Giovanni Bruno

    (Department of Neuroscience, Section of Dentistry, University of Padua, 35100 Padua, Italy)

  • Sabrina Mutinelli

    (Department of Neuroscience, Section of Dentistry, University of Padua, 35100 Padua, Italy)

  • Antonio Gracco

    (Department of Neuroscience, Section of Dentistry, University of Padua, 35100 Padua, Italy)

Abstract

The aim of this study is an evaluation of the Italian dentists’ knowledge regarding COVID-19 and their perception of the risks associated with COVID-19, their attitude in resuming their activities, and how they judge the institutional intervention on a health and economic basis. Methods: This research evaluated Italian dentists from 11 to 18 April 2020, using a questionnaire submitted via Google Forms (Alphabet, Mountain View, CA, USA). It consisted of different investigations about sociodemographic aspects, profession-related characteristics, knowledge about COVID-19 infection transmission modalities, symptoms, and attitude in treating potentially infected patients. Statistical analysis was performed using the Pearson chi 2 test and Student t-test. The α-level was fixed at p = 0.05. All data were analyzed with STATA 16 (StataCorp LP, College Station, TX, USA). Results: 1500 dentists (664 men and 836 women) completed the questionnaire. The majority of respondents declared having been trained in infection prevention procedures (64.3%) but not specifically to prevent the spread of COVID-19 (48.7%). A total of 57.2% declared that they were not trained sufficiently to restart working after lockdown, with a significantly higher prevalence (Pearson chi 2 test, p < 0.001) among women (62.3%) than men (50.9%). Conclusion: Italian dentists were informed correctly on the mode of transmission but partially missed COVID-19 symptoms. Dentists considered the virus infection highly dangerous, and they were not confident in being able to work safely. The lack of precise operating guidelines creates uncertainties on infection control measures and appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) use. The participants revealed apprehension for their health and the current and future economic situation of their practices.

Suggested Citation

  • Alberto De Stefani & Giovanni Bruno & Sabrina Mutinelli & Antonio Gracco, 2020. "COVID-19 Outbreak Perception in Italian Dentists," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(11), pages 1-7, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:11:p:3867-:d:364679
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Roberto Lo Giudice, 2020. "The Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS CoV-2) in Dentistry. Management of Biological Risk in Dental Practice," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(9), pages 1-12, April.
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    1. Monika Tysiąc-Miśta & Arkadiusz Dziedzic, 2020. "The Attitudes and Professional Approaches of Dental Practitioners during the COVID-19 Outbreak in Poland: A Cross-Sectional Survey," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(13), pages 1-17, June.
    2. Fatih Karayürek & Neslihan Yilmaz Çırakoğlu & Aydin Gülses & Mustafa Ayna, 2021. "Awareness and Knowledge of SARS-CoV-2 Infection among Dental Professionals According to the Turkish National Dental Guidelines," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(2), pages 1-13, January.
    3. Silvano Gallus & Luca Paroni & Dino Re & Riccardo Aiuto & Davide Maria Battaglia & Rolando Crippa & Nicolò Carugo & Matteo Beretta & Lorenzo Balsano & Luigi Paglia, 2021. "SARS-CoV-2 Infection among the Dental Staff from Lombardy Region, Italy," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(7), pages 1-10, April.
    4. Juan Carlos De Haro & Eva María Rosel & Inmaculada Salcedo-Bellido & Ester Leno-Durán & Pilar Requena & Rocío Barrios-Rodríguez, 2022. "Psychological Impact of COVID-19 in the Setting of Dentistry: A Review Article," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(23), pages 1-37, December.
    5. Anne Müller & Florentina Sophie Melzow & Gerd Göstemeyer & Sebastian Paris & Falk Schwendicke, 2021. "Implementation of COVID-19 Infection Control Measures by German Dentists: A Qualitative Study to Identify Enablers and Barriers," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(11), pages 1-22, May.
    6. Thomas Gerhard Wolf & Leonardo de Col & Seyed Ahmad Banihashem Rad & Paolo Castiglia & Antonella Arghittu & Mina Cannavale & Guglielmo Campus, 2022. "How the COVID-19 Pandemic Affects Risk Awareness in Dentists: A Scoping Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(9), pages 1-14, April.
    7. Lina Stangvaltaite-Mouhat & Marte-Mari Uhlen & Rasa Skudutyte-Rysstad & Ewa Alicja Szyszko Hovden & Maziar Shabestari & Vibeke Elise Ansteinsson, 2020. "Dental Health Services Response to COVID-19 in Norway," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(16), pages 1-17, August.
    8. Mohamed Mekhemar & Sameh Attia & Christof Dörfer & Jonas Conrad, 2021. "Dental Nurses’ Mental Health in Germany: A Nationwide Survey during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(15), pages 1-18, July.
    9. Luca Aquilanti & Silvia Gallegati & Valerio Temperini & Luigi Ferrante & Edlira Skrami & Maurizio Procaccini & Giorgio Rappelli, 2020. "Italian Response to Coronavirus Pandemic in Dental Care Access: The DeCADE Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(19), pages 1-12, September.
    10. Bruna Sinjari & Imena Rexhepi & Manlio Santilli & Gianmaria D′Addazio & Piero Chiacchiaretta & Piero Di Carlo & Sergio Caputi, 2020. "The Impact of COVID-19 Related Lockdown on Dental Practice in Central Italy—Outcomes of A Survey," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(16), pages 1-14, August.

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