Advances in Medical Education and Practice (Dec 2021)

Knowledge and Practice of COVID-19 Infection Control Among Dental Students and Interns: A Cross-Sectional Survey

  • Bin Mubayrik A,
  • Al Dosary S,
  • Alwasil W,
  • AlShanqeeti B,
  • Alkathiri M,
  • Alahmari R,
  • Bin Sultan S

Journal volume & issue
Vol. Volume 12
pp. 1419 – 1427

Abstract

Read online

Azizah Bin Mubayrik,1 Sara Al Dosary,1 Wasayef Alwasil,2 Bushra AlShanqeeti,2 Maryam Alkathiri,2 Reem Alahmari,2 Sarah Bin Sultan2 1Oral Medicine and Diagnostic Science Department, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; 2Interns, College of Dentistry, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi ArabiaCorrespondence: Azizah Bin MubayrikOral Medicine and Diagnostic Science Department, College of Dentistry, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi ArabiaEmail [email protected]: To assess the knowledge and practice of dental students and interns regarding coronavirus disease (COVID-19) based on academic level and university.Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional survey was carried out among interns and dental students using self-administered, structured questionnaire regarding knowledge and clinical practice with respect to COVID-19 pandemic.Results: A total of 126 completed questionnaires were received. A majority of the study participants (98.4%) stated they were aware of the COVID-19 infection control policies. Most participants (83.3%) had attended training or lectures about COVID-19. Most of them stated that the N59 mask is the best mask against the disease (81.7%). Significant variations between academic years and genders were revealed regarding the clinical practice. Uncertainty existed regarding quarantining, preprocedural mouth wash, and handwashing versus desensitizing.Conclusion: The level of knowledge of the participants was reasonable. Areas of deficiency in knowledge were observed among junior dental students. Further training in infection control measures and formulation of new guidelines are recommended to increase the knowledge and preparation of dental students regarding COVID-19 in dental settings, as well as reduce the transmission of infection.Keywords: coronavirus disease, infection control, dental students, knowledge, disease transmission

Keywords