AN ANALYSIS OF EXPERIENCES AND PROBLEMS FACED BY THE DENTISTS DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC: A QUESTIONNAIRE-BASED SURVEY

MM Hafeez; Y Javed; S Hanif; M Haseeb; AF Butt; R Aftab; MA Rana

doi:10.54112/bcsrj.v2022i1.89

Authors

MM Hafeez Director Research and Development, Expert Doctor Private Limited, Lahore
Y Javed Department of Oral Pathology, CMH Lahore Medical and Dental College, Pakistan
S Hanif Emergency Department, Bahria Town International Hospital Lahore-Pakistan
M Haseeb Department of Periodontology, University College of Medicine and Dentistry, The University of Lahore, Lahore
AF Butt Department of Physiology, University College of Medicine and Dentistry, The University of Lahore, Lahore
R Aftab Private Clinic, AR The Dental Studio, Lahore
MA Rana Intensive Care Unit, Bahria International Hospital Lahore-Pakistan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54112/bcsrj.v2022i1.89

Keywords:

SARS-CoV-2, Dental Practice, Personal Protective Equipment, Dentist Experiences, coronavirus

Abstract

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 pandemic started in December and spread around the globe in a few months. Nosocomial transmission of this virus shut down the dental clinics and creates many problems for patients. This study was designed to assess the experiences and problems faced by the dentist during the pandemic. The was a cross sectional questionnaire-based survey conducted in different dental sectors of Lahore. The questionnaire was distributed through online Microsoft form and total of seventy-eight complete responses were received out of 156 dentists contacted.69.2 % of participants reported that they stop taking appointments during the peaks of pandemic or have planned to stay at home till the end of the pandemic where 27% claimed to perform only emergency procedures. 86% of dentists reported having difficulty finding PPE and 97% had to buy it at a much higher cost. Dentists (96%) also reported that they are facing a significant decrease in income and needed some other source of income. Regarding financial issues they did not get any government support.The COVID-19 pandemic has a significant impact on dentistry. Most dental clinics remained closed, placing a financial burden on the dental profession. This burden was further increased as a result of the scarcity and high cost of PPE. There is a need for standardized protocols to prevent the spread of infection, and government agencies should also consider private clinics for funding and provision of low-cost PPE.

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