Relationship between Fear, Attitude and Knowledge, and COVID-19 Preventive Behaviors in Dentists

Dentists are at risk for respiratory diseases such as COVID-19 due to the nature of their occupation, close contact with patients, and exposure to microdroplets. One of the most important psychological variables affecting the regular implementation of preventive health behaviors is fear. Therefore, the present study was conducted to determine the relationship between knowledge, fear and attitude, and COVID-19 preventive behaviors in dentists.

In this cross-sectional study, based on multi-stage sampling method, 190 dentists in Tehran were included in the study. Data were collected based on self-administered method using demographic questions: the 8-item Fear of COVID-19 Scale (range of 8 to 16), the 8-item Attitude Scale (range of 8 to 40), the 15-item Knowledge Scale (range of 0 to 15), and the 12-item COVID-19 Preventive Performance Questionnaire (range of 12 to 60).

Only 24.74% of dentists received official training on COVID-19. The mean performance score of dentists towards COVID-19 prevention was 52.2±7.6 and was satisfactory. However, behaviors such as preparing disinfectants and masks for patients, regular air conditioning and disinfection of surfaces were observed in 38.95%, 17.37% and 16.32% of dentists, respectively. Preventive performance was significantly correlated with fear (p<0.05, r=0.427), attitude (p<0.01, r=0.305), knowledge (p<0.01, r=0.276) and work experience (p<0.05, r=0.108). Moreover, these variables predicted 63% of the variance of preventive performance.

Based on the results of this study, the overall performance of dentists in complying with COVID-19 prevention protocols was satisfactory. Moreover, there was a significant relationship between knowledge, fear and attitude and preventive performance.