Original Research Article
Year: 2020 | Month: October-December | Volume: 5 | Issue: 4 | Pages: 423-429
Patients’ Views Regarding Dental Concerns and Tele dentistry during COVID-19 Pandemic
Simran H. Dusseja 1, Dinesh Rao2, Sunil Panwar3, Safna Ameen4
1Postgraduate Student, Department of Paediatric Dentistry, Pacific Dental College & Hospital,
Udaipur-313 024, Rajasthan State, India.
2Professor and Head, Department of Paediatric Dentistry, Pacific Dental College & Hospital,
Udaipur-313 024, Rajasthan State, India.
3Professor, Department of Paediatric Dentistry, Pacific Dental College & Hospital,
Udaipur-313 024, Rajasthan State, India.
4Senior Lecturer, Department of Paediatric Dentistry, Pacific Dental College & Hospital,
Udaipur-313 024, Rajasthan, India.
Corresponding Author:Simran H. Dusseja
ABSTRACT
Background: Unique challenges are posed while providing health care during disasters and pandemics. A tele dentistry visit can be organized without exposing staff to infections during such times.
Aim: The objective of the study was to assess the patient’s satisfaction and perceptions regarding dental concerns and tele dentistry during COVID-19 through an online survey.
Methodology: The survey was conducted in April, 2020. An online questionnaire using Google forms was used to collect the data and was sent to 1000 people via different social media platforms.
Results: The survey accomplished 642 responses. The majority of the population who responded were in between the age group of 18 to 40 years. 70.7% of respondents were unwilling of visiting dental clinics during COVID. The majority of the population i.e., 80.5% of the participants were in favour of using tele dentistry for future purposes. Although, 76.1% of participants were aware of the fact that dentists are at high risk of infection, only 45.3% of participants agreed for a considerable hike in fees because of personal protective equipment used.
Conclusion: In this troublesome situation of the COVID-19 pandemic, tele dentistry is proving to be a beneficial approach for the population who are suffering from some or the other kind of dental ailment. Patients should be made aware of the high risk to dentists and precautionary measures taken by the proper use of Personal protective equipment, being the reason behind the hike in fees of the dental procedures.
Keywords: COVID-19 pandemic, personal protective equipment, patients’ perceptions, patients’ satisfactions, questionnaire, tele dentistry.