Astronaut Era: Does Your Child Patient Accept Your New Look and Practicality of Using Behaviour Modification Techniques in COVID Times?

Abstract

Background: The coronavirus (COVID-19) has challenged health care professionals and dental professionals play a pivotal role in preventing transmission of COVID 19. Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge, attitude, skills and preparedness of Pediatric dentist in managing  a case in their dental operatory in COVID times. Materials and Methodology: A cross-sectional survey was carried out in June 2020 on  52 dental specialists who  were contacts of invigilator and had done  post graduation in Pedodontics and Preventine Dentistry at Delhi NCR or were practicing Pedodontist in Jammu & Kashmir. A 10 question based questionnaire was developed to assess their knowledge, awareness and skills . Data were subjected to appropriate statistical measures and analyzed. Result: Amongst 52 Pedodontist who took  part in survey  23.08% were pedodontist with experience of three and more years where as  53.85% were still undergoing postgraduation in the speciality of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry.100% of pediatric dentist thought its pre requisite to screen the temperature of all the children and attendants using infrared thermometer before taking proper history and thought of conducting  examination only after a preprocedural mouthrinse of 1% hydrogen peroxide. Conclusion: An aware and knowledgeable pedodontist  following the latest guidelines can handle children well in situation where behaviour modification techniques are hampered due to use of PPE(Personnal Protective Equipment). It is important to educate all the patients about coughing etiquettes and the dental professionals about modification required in a dental clinic set-up for managing cases requiring urgent dental care.