Concerns, Knowledge, and Practices of Dentists in Mexico Regarding Infection Control during the Coronavirus Disease Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study

• Published in: Healthcare (Basel) Vol. 9; no. 6; p. 731
• Main Authors: Gómez-Clavel, José F., Morales-Pérez, Miguel A., Argumedo, Gabriela, Trejo-Iriarte, Cynthia G., García-Muñoz, Alejandro
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Basel MDPI AG 14.06.2021; MDPI
• Subjects: Aerosols; concerns; Coronaviruses; Cost control; COVID-19; Cross-sectional studies; dentist; Dentists; Disease control; Disease prevention; Disease transmission; infection control practices; Infections; knowledge; Likert scale; Medical personnel; Medical supplies; Oral hygiene; Pandemics; Patients; Personal protective equipment; Professional ethics; Professionals; Questionnaires; SARS-CoV-2; Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2; Mexico
• ISSN: 2227-9032; 2227-9032
• DOI: 10.3390/healthcare9060731

Dentists are highly exposed and vulnerable during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, as physical proximity to patients is necessary for effective dental examination and treatment. The objective of this study was to describe the concerns, knowledge, and infection control practices of dentists in Mexico during the COVID-19 pandemic. In this cross-sectional study conducted from 22 May 2020 to 8 July 2020, an anonymous survey was distributed to dentists, which covered information regarding dentists’ sociodemographic and professional characteristics, clinical practices during the pandemic, and perceptions regarding the application of infection prevention and control guidance for dental settings during the COVID-19 pandemic. Out of 703 respondents, 73.1% (n = 514) were women and 53.6% (n = 377) were dentists with 1–10 years of experience. Regarding the statements issued by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the responses for 11 survey items had total agreement rates >90% (high frequency); seven and nine items had moderate and low frequency of total agreement, respectively. Most dentists in this study agreed with the WHO and CDC statements and were concerned regarding the possibility of infection, despite using the protective gear.