Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on brazilian dentists in 2020: an epidemiologic study

• Published in: Revista de Odontologia da UNESP 2021, Vol.50
• Main Authors: SOUZA, Alessandra Areas e, SILVA, Juliana Casemiro Ferreira, LOUREIRO, Bruno Boabaid, ZUZA, Elizangela Cruvinel
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: COVID-19; dentistry, Brazil; epidemiology
• ISSN: 0101-1774; 1807-2577
• DOI: 10.1590/1807-2577.00221

Abstract Introduction The COVID-19 pandemic has led to an interruption in work activities in various sectors, generating an economic crisis and a high rate of unemployment worldwide. Objective To assess the behavior and perceptions of Brazilian dentists about the COVID-19 pandemic and to verify its impact on the routine of dental care. Material and method The electronic questionnaire was disseminated through social networks from July to November/2020. The representativeness for the study sample was calculated, generating a sample calculation of 385 dentists. Result In total, 318 dentists (82.6%) from all regions of Brazil answered the questionnaire, being 112 men (35.2%) and 206 women (64.8%). Most of the interviewees, that is, 249 dentists (78.3%) reported working in private offices or clinics. Of the interviewees, 26 (8.8%) tested positive for COVID-19 and another 10 (3.1%) had symptoms of the disease, but did not take the test. No interviewees reported having been hospitalized due to the disease. During the period of application of the questionnaire, 235 respondents were attending routine and emergency patients (73.9%). Only 174 (54.7%) reported feeling safe with the use of personal protective equipment. Most interviewees declared that they did not have a financial reserve for the interruption of work activities (54.7%). Conclusion The COVID-19 pandemic has had a major impact on dentistry, and better financial planning, in addition to constant reinforcement of biosafety care, which is essential for professionals in the healthcare area, can help to protect them and maintain their professional practice in times of pandemic and uncertainty. Resumo Introdução A pandemia de COVID-19 levou à paralisação das atividades de trabalho em vários setores, gerando uma crise econômica e um alto índice de desemprego em todo o mundo. Objetivo Avaliar o comportamento e as percepções dos cirurgiões-dentistas brasileiros sobre a pandemia de COVID-19 e verificar seu impacto sobre a rotina do atendimento odontológico. Material e método Um questionário eletrônico do Google forms foi divulgado por meio das redes sociais no período de julho a novembro/2020. A representatividade para a amostra do estudo foi calculada, gerando um cálculo amostral de 385 dentistas. Resultado Os resultados mostraram que 318 dentistas (82,6%) de todas as regiões do Brasil responderam ao questionário, sendo 112 homens (35,2%) e 206 mulheres (64,8%). A maior parte dos entrevistados, ou seja, 249 denti