Awareness and Practice of Infection Control Protocol Amid Covid-19 Pandemic in Private Dental Clinics in Saudi Arabia
Suhael Ahmed *
Riyadh Elm University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Khaled Saad Hamad Alotaibi
Head of Dental Department, Aldwadmi General Hospital, Saudi Ministry of Health, Saudi Arabia.
Fatima Abdullah Binyahya
Ministry of Health, Saudi Arabia.
Ibrahim Abduljalil Albaijan
Ministry of Health, Saudi Arabia.
Nasser Ahmed Alfaleh
San Marino Hospital Genova, Italy
Saleem Issam Albaradie
National Guard Hospital, Saudi Arabia.
Mohammed Fahd Almotawa
Ministry of Health, Saudi Arabia.
Nidal Tareef Alshakaki
San Marino Hospital Genova, Italy
Nada Ameen Softah
Ministry of Health Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Nafeesa Tabassum
Dar Al uloom University Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Fajr Alafaliq
Riyadh Elm University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Rana Saad Alasmari
Ministry of Health, Saudi Arabia.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Aim: The purpose of our research was to assess the knowledge and awareness regarding infection control practice against coronavirus infection in various dental clinics in Saudi Arabia.
Methodology: A descriptive survey was conducted amongst 200 dentists. The study was conceptualised in riyadh elm university, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and inlcuded dentists from various dental clinics across kingdom of saudi arabia in the month of november,2020. A questionnaire consisting of 12 questions was distributed, based upon knowledge of COVID-19, transmission as well as prevention strategies that can be implemented in dental clinics for stopping the chain of outbreak of this pandemic. The data was analyzed with the help of descriptive statistics using SPSS 25 software.
Results: 71% of study participants felt the need for using N-95 masks routinely during patient treatment. An astounding number of participants (92%), believed that there have been significant changes in infection control after COVID-19 pandemic. 65% of participants believed that High volume evacuators (HVE) suction devices, as well as High efficiency articulate air (HEPA) filters, need to be used to control aerosol spread so as to prevent COVID-19 infection.
Conclusion: Dentists in Saudi Arabia showed satisfactory knowledge and positive attitude towards COVID-19. Improving dentists’ level of knowledge could be achieved through increasing their accessibility to materials provided by dental health care authorities, which specifies the best and safest approaches for dealing with patients during and after the outbreak.
Keywords: COVID-19, SARS- CoV-2, pandemic, cross infection.