DENTISTS AND COVID-19 ERA: SUFFERING, WORK LIMITATIONS AND ADHERENCE TO PREVENTIVE MEASURES: A CROSS SECTION STUDY.

Abstract

Introduction: Dental practice has been classified as high risk profession due to the increased possibility of infection transmission between dentists and patients. As a result, strict and necessary infection control guidelines against COVID-19 virus are regarded as a top priority in dental settings. Aim of Work: to assess the adherence of dentists to COVID-19 preventive measures, to study the factors which influence this adherence and to clarify the impact of COVID-19 on the dentists› lives in Sharkia governorate. Materials and Methods: this cross-sectional study was conducted among (346) dentists. An electronic survey was used, the questionnaire comprised of socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge source about COVID-19 infection prevention, vaccination, impact of COVID-19 on the dentists› lives, quality of life, adherence to COVID-19 preventive measures and factors which interfere with the adherence to these measures. Results: About 13% of the studied group were trained about covid-19 infection prevention skills, 56.06% updated their knowledge with current Ministry of Health (MOH) guidelines and 337 (97.39%) were vaccinated against COVID 19. The studied dentists were very worried about their health and their relatives’ health. Their income was dramatically decreased and they were moderately worried of being infected. The majority of the participants (93.1%) self-rated their quality of life as adequate. Multivariable linear regression revealed that female gender, older age, and a higher quality of life score were factors that were