Assessment of knowledge, attitude, awareness, and opinion of patients on routine dental services during COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study

Background: The novel severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 virus has undoubtedly disrupted the life of every individual and created a global health and economic crisis. Health-care systems, including dental clinics, were affected and patients with dental pain suffered since they were unable to seek dental care at the right time. It has since become relevant to examine and understand the outlook and views of patients toward seeking routine dental services and their acceptance of alternative methods of dental practice through the COVID-19 pandemic. Hence, this cross-sectional questionnaire study was conducted to assess the knowledge, attitude, and opinion of patients visiting a dentist for routine dental services during the COVID-19 pandemic Methodology: A cross-sectional questionnaire-based survey was conducted among 200 patients who visited the dental college for their treatment. Their responses were recorded and descriptive analysis, Chi-square test, and multiple logistic regression analysis were carried out to evaluate their responses. Results: The participants were aware of the transmission of COVID-19 (91%), 64% believed it was safe to visit a dentist and 99.5% believed it necessary to take proper precautions before visiting the dentist. Participants (84%) preferred having dental consultations over phone/email/video calls compared to regular in-person consultations during the pandemic. Conclusion: Teledentistry has the potential to emerge as an effective mode of managing patients with dental needs to reduce the burden on dental clinics and hospitals. It can ensure the accessibility to dental care even in the remotest area by allowing patients to connect with dentists through appropriate digital and social media.