Assessment of Practical and Emotional Consequences of Novel Coronavirus Emergence on Clinical Dental Practice in Egypt: A Cross Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: Novel COronaVIrus Disease 19 (COVID-19) outbreak has a great impact on every aspect of life. It caused an emergency status in the health system worldwide. In dentistry, it represents one of the challenges that most of the dentists and patients are facing. This survey was conducted to highlight the practical changes in dental practice created by COVID-19 emergence, and its impact on dentists' feelings and concerns especially after Egyptian national administrative order of 15 March 2020 (Egypt Declared Partial Curfew). Methods: An anonymous online survey, formed of 23 questions, was sent to 293 dentists practicing in Egypt. Results: Almost all of the respondents (96.6%) closed or reduced their activity to urgent procedures only, 81.9% of patients canceled their appointments after 15 March 2020, and 75.1% of the dentists reported difficulties in finding Personal Protective Equipment. Also, 97.6% of the dentists reported worry of acquiring COVID-19 while working. When thinking about it, 44% of the participants reported anxiety, 28.7% concern, 16.4% fear, only 10.6% felt sad. They overall were worried about their professional future. Most of the dentists believed that some improvements could be effective. Conclusions: COVID-19 pandemic has high negative impact on dentists and dental practice in Egypt.