EVALUATION OF AWARENESS AND CONCERN LEVELS ABOUT COVID-19 PANDEMIC OF PATIENTS WHO ADMIT TO THE FACULTY OF DENTISTRYArife SABANCI

Abstract

In this research, it was aimed to evaluate the awareness and concerns of patients applying to the faculty of dentistry about the COVID-19 pandemic and to determine their thoughts and concerns about dental treatment during the pandemic period. The questionnaire included questions about personal demographic characteristics, concern, awareness and knowledge level related to COVID-19 disease, and also questioned their need for oral and dental health services and to what extent these needs were met. This cross-sectional survey was conducted on 517 patients. Of the patients, 44.9% knew both the symptoms of COVID-19 and prevention methods of COVID-19. The level of knowledge was higher in; females (64.7%) than males (35.3%), university graduates (57.3%) than middle and high school graduates. Those who were concerned about getting coronavirus had a significantly higher rate of hesitation about coming to dental treatment during this period compared to those who were not concerned (p<0.05). The majority of patients believed that the healthcare facility could prevent coronavirus transmission and 80.5% thought they could be infected from other patients in the waiting room. This study provides us important information about access to safe oral dental health services and the awareness and concern of dental patients.