Projects
026 – Knowledge, attitude, practices and confidence of dentists performing dental treatment around the world during COVID-19 outbreak
- Chief Investigator A: A/Prof Chaminda Jayampath
- Chief Investigator B: Dr Rebecca Wong
- Associate Investigator: John Tay Rong Hao, Ethan Ng Yi Kai, Jennifer Wong Tzu-Jung, Goh Bee Tin, Chelsia Q. Sim
Introduction
The emergence of COVID-19 has led to a global pandemic and currently declared as major global public health emergency by the World Health Organization (WHO). There is a lack of a standardised approach to continue dental procedures in this challenging environment; but appropriate infection control is key.
Aim
To identify the gaps in dentists’ knowledge and attitudes towards infection control in a post-pandemic world.
Rationale
At present COVID-19 has spread to many countries with more than 172 million cases and 3 million deaths. Many countries have, at various points, imposed a variety of measures to control the pandemic, including lockdowns, quarantines, and curfews. With countries facing the threat of multiple waves of COVID-19 clusters emerging despite these measures, there remain concerns with continued disease transmission. Vaccination uptake around the world remain low. The concerns and anxiety on the COVID-19 is still very much applicable of the daily behaviour of the dentists worldwide.
Methodology
This study will utilize a cross-sectional design, using convenience sampling. Data will be collected through an on-line questionnaire using Qualtrics. The inclusion criteria include dental clinicians who are currently practising, English literate, and have access to internet. The survey will be disseminated online and shared using online platforms. Subjects who are invited to participate in this study will be able to access the survey once.
What are the expected outcomes?
It is anticipated this project will:
- Be vital to understanding dentists’ knowledge and behaviour on providing dental treatment during an infectious disease outbreak;
- Inform the development of educational and promotional strategies to address dentists’ concerns and this will ensure that safe treatment is carried out on patients; and
- Inform future work on infection control strategies in dentistry.
