How Dentistry Survived the Early Months of the COVID-19 Pandemic? The Palestinian Experience

Objectives: Dentists provide care in a proximity with patients and most of dental procedures generate aerosols and droplets. Under these conditions, dentistry had unique challenges to operate safely during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study assessed how Palestinian dentists survived the early months of the COVID-19. Methods: A cross-sectional study targeted dentists in the West Bank area of Palestine using an on line survey during the first two weeks of May, 2020. Questions mainly asked about dentists’ perception of the risks of COVID-19, readiness to reopen their clinics for routine care, and the level of confidence in dealing with suspected COVID-19 patients. Results: 448 dentists completed the survey. Almost 60% believed that they were not ready to re open their practices. Thirteen percent had “no confidence” in dealing with COVID-19 patients, while 64% had “little to moderate” confidence. Confidence was correlated negatively with increased fear of getting infected (ρ=-0.317, p<0.0001) and positively with years of practice (ρ=1.7, p< 0.0001). Dentists who received updated training on infection control or on COVID-19 reported higher levels of confidence (X2 =53.8,p<0.0001, X2=26.8, p