Journal of Primary Care Dentistry and Oral Health (May 2024)

Impact of COVID-19 on Dental Surgeons in Kerala: A Cross-sectional Online Survey

  • Moopil Midhun Mohanan,
  • S Jayasree,
  • N T Nishad,
  • Abdu Semeer Palottil,
  • T. V. Soumya Mohanan

DOI
https://doi.org/10.4103/jpcdoh.jpcdoh_19_24
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 5, no. 2
pp. 67 – 73

Abstract

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Background: This cross-sectional study among dentists in Kerala assessed the COVID-19 prevalence and severity, vaccination status, and medication usage in August 2022. Materials and Methods: A questionnaire was created to assess the impact of COVID-19 on dental surgeons in Kerala. This questionnaire had 19 questions with multiple choices which were converted into Google Forms and distributed among the dentists residing in Kerala. Results: A total of 650 dentists responded to the questionnaire, yielding a response rate of 76.4%. As of August 2022, the prevalence of COVID-19 among Kerala dentists was found to be 33.23%. 60.7% of positive dentists were either asymptomatic or had only mild symptoms. 99% had received at least one vaccine dose, mainly Covishield. The prevalence of COVID-19 positivity was higher among dentists with postgraduate degrees (47.4%) in comparison with participants holding only BDS degrees. Conclusion: The prevalence of COVID-19 among practicing dentists was 33.23%. All dentists were vaccinated and used good preventive measures.

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