Assessment of knowledge and awareness among dentists about COVID-19 infection: A qualitative study
Priyadeep Banerjee1, Shilpi K Pandey2, Balaji Sugriv Munde3, Godavari Deepak Nagargoje4, Sana Mohani5, Mitra Ashok Shinde6
1 Department of Prosthodontics and Crown and Bridge, Kalinga Institute of Dental Sciences, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India 2 Department of Prosthodontics, Rungta College of Dental Sciences and Research, Bhilai, Chhattisgarh, India 3 Department of Prosthodontics, Maharashtra Institute of Dental Sciences and Research Dental College, Latur, India 4 Department of Conservative Dentistry, Nanded Rural Dental College and Research Centre, Nanded, Maharashtra, India 5 Department of Endodontics, Nanded Rural Dental College and Research Centre, Nanded, Maharashtra, India 6 Department of Prosthodontics, Crown, Bridge and Implantology, Daswani Dental College and Research Centre, Kota, Rajasthan, India
Correspondence Address:
Priyadeep Banerjee Department of Prosthodontics and Crown and Bridge, Kalinga Institute of Dental Sciences, Bhubaneswar, Odisha India
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
DOI: 10.4103/jpbs.JPBS_626_20
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Background: This study was an attempt to evaluate the knowledge and awareness among dentists about COVID-19 infection. Methodology: This study was conducted among 580 dental professionals that comprised graduates (BDS), masters (MDS), postgraduates, and PhD fellows. A questionnaire containing information about knowledge, attitude, and awareness about COVID-19 infection was administered and recorded. Results: A total of 493 (85%) respondents replied correct answer that SARS-CoV-2 causes COVID-19. A total of 464 (80%) respondents replied that SARS-CoV-2 is the highest infectious virus among all. A total of 510 (88%) respondents replied the correct answer that 2–14 days is the incubation period of COVID-19 virus. Only 116 (20%) respondents replied the correct answer that MERS has high mortality. Only 87 (15%) respondents were aware of the appropriate mortality rate of COVID-19 disease. A total of 455 (78.4%) respondents had knowledge of the method of detecting COVID-19 infection (real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction). Knowledge level was good as seen in 81%, fair in 9.5%, and poor in 10.5% of the respondents. Conclusion: The authors found that dental professionals had fair knowledge and awareness regarding COVID-19 infection.
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