Objective: Since its outbreak, the novel β-coronavirus had caused major concern in the global population due to its rapid spreading and its ability to cause life-threatening pneumonia. Transmission routes include direct contact or contact with the body fluids. Dental professionals are at high risk of exposure due to the contact with patients and the risk of exposure to their body fluids.
The current study aimed to investigate the impact of the 2019-nCoV infection spreadon the management of dental clinics and the decision-making.
Materials and Methods: a 10-question multiple-choice anonymously questionnaire was uploaded to the www. survio.com website and links were sent through the social networks. Data were analyzed by the chi-square test and significance was set at p=0.05.
Results: 2028 participants completed the questionnaire. 84.1% (n = 1705) from the Former Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR), 13.7% (n = 271) from Israel. Israeli responders reported significantly higher rates of patient cancelations and staff concern compared to the Former USSR responders (35.1% vs. 9.5% and 62.4% vs. 30.8% respectively, p<0.001), increased rates in the ordering of supplies and equipment (38.4% vs. 16.8% respectively, p<0.001) and shortage of different supplies and equipment (20.8-82.4% vs. 6.4-63.3% respectively, p<0.001). The impact on treatment decision-making and general concern was significantly higher among the Israeli responders versus the Former USSR responders (17.8% vs. 2.7% and 53.4% vs. 36.8%, p<0.001).
Conclusion: The novel β-coronavirus’s may impact the management of dental clinics and treatment decision-making internationally. The Israeli dental clinicians who responded to the questionnaire are more affected than the responders from the Former USSR counterparts.
Decision-making; Novel β-coronavirus; Pandemic; Questionnaire