The Impact of COVID-19 Outbreak on the Pediatric Dentists and the Pediatric Dental Practice Across Turkey

Year 2023, Volume: 24 Issue: 2, 112 - 118, 30.06.2023

Eda Arat Maden , Buğra Özen , Ceyhan Altun

Abstract

Objective: The coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has had a significant impact on pediatric dentists and the clinical practice of pediatric dentistry. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic among pediatric dentists in Turkey by evaluating protective measures, attitudes, and perception levels regarding COVID-19, clinical protocols, and professional approaches of pediatric dental practitioners.
Materials and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted on a sample of pediatric dentists in Turkey. The questionnaire consisted of 34 questions in five domains: personal data, health conditions, precautionary measures and working conditions, knowledge and self-perceived risk of infection, attitudes and perception, and COVID-19 pandemic impact on clinical practice.
Results: A total of 221 pediatric dentists participated in the survey. 33.9% of the participants (n=75) perform non-emergency procedures during the pandemic. Almost half of the participants considered atraumatic restorative treatment option for teeth with dentin caries (n=120, 54.3%). Moreover, the participants reported that they would treat a traumatized tooth [a tooth with luxation (n=210, 95%)].
Conclusion: Pediatric dentists can limit their dental procedures to emergency treatments and select biological, noninvasive, or minimally invasive methods to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission.

Keywords

COVID-19 , dental practice , infection control , pediatric dentistry

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