COVID-19 outbreak-Beliefs and practices among dental professionals of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia-A Cross-sectional study

Background: Covid-19 virus has caused unparalleled hastening of infection transmission to healthcare workers including dental professionals worldwide. This study examined dental professional's knowledge, awareness, and practice during the Covid-19 outbreak in Riyadh. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among dental professionals of government and private dental hospitals and medical centers in the Riyadh region through an electronic survey. A self-designed questionnaire designed in English and comprised of a series of questions pertaining to socio-demographic characteristics, the awareness of dental professionals towards COVID-19, and infection control in dental clinics. Knowledge, awareness, and practice scores were considered as primary outcome variables. The data were imported into SPSS and the p-value was set at < 0.05 as significant statistically. Results: Out of 381, 171 (44.88%) were aged >45 years and the respondents were predominantly females 247 (64.83%) compared to males134 (35.17%). More than half of the respondents were dentists 234 (61.42%) and 258 (67.72%) having experience of >10 years. Most of the respondents 270 (70.90%) were practicing under COVID-19 guidelines. Age >45 years, females, dental profession, years of working experience, and dental professionals working in a military hospital under the government sector were statistically significant (p<0.001) for good knowledge, awareness, and practice scores. Conclusion: Dental professionals of Riyadh had excellent knowledge, positive awareness, and good practices regarding COVID-19 measures to be taken in dental clinics.