Return to routine oral care: During and post Covid-19 pandemic

Background and Aims The balance between attention to patient concerns and safety issues related to the transmission of Covid-19 with dental visits for prevention and treatment has created a new challenge for oral and dental care.  The aim of this study was to determine public attitudes towards dental services and the possibility of contracting covid-19.

 In this analytical-cross-sectional study, 197 patients referred to the two centers of Rasht Dental Faculty and Special Clinic were examined by continuous sampling in 2021-2022. The data collection tool included personal and social information, oral and dental health behaviors, the importance of receiving dental services, the probability of contracting COVID-19 in dentistry, visiting a dentist during COVID-19, and contributing events for going to the dentist. Statistical tests were conducted using SPSS software (v. 24). Ethical considerations were considered in all stages of the study.

 The average age of the subjects was 33.74± 8.94. In general, 37.69% of participants mentioned a history of COVID-19 infection. 55.8% of respondents usually visited the dentist. Most of the people (64.5%) were fully aware of the importance of oral and dental health and receiving dental services. Approximately 72.1% were worried about the transmission of COVID-19 from the dentist. Almost 67% of respondents believed that contracting COVID-19 is more dangerous than going to the dentist.

 The findings of this study underline the important role of each country's health system in providing correct information and guaranteeing the provision of safe dental services and giving reassurance to society.