Psychological Distress and Coping Among Dental Practitioners During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Survey From India

Aim: Most dental procedures are aerosol-generating and hence highly risky for spreading SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) infection. This can lead to sufficient psychological distress, avoidance of risky procedures, and impact on dental practice. We intend to examine the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on dental practice and psychological distress among dental practitioners. Methods: An online survey was conducted by an email-based survey link; 1257 registered dental practitioners were contacted across the country. Results: Most dental practitioners continue to practice during the COVID-19 pandemic (81.08%). Postgraduate specialists significantly outnumber undergraduates in performing dental procedures (p=.001). Career-related anxiety was considerably high among postgraduates (61.96%; p=.036) during the initial phase of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in India. In contrast, self-efficacy was significantly better among postgraduates than undergraduates (p=.027). Conclusion: Dental practitioners suffered considerable impact due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It is important to enhance coping and self-efficacy strategies among dental practitioners.