Awareness About Oral Manifestations Of Covid-19 Among Pre-Clinical Dental Students

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Among the health care personnel, dentists face the highest exposure and risk. At this high risk, there are many problems a dentist might face.Dentists face a major threat while diagnosing the patients having covid 19, but not displaying any symptoms. The range of oral manifestation of Covid 19 has been considered and has a broad interest.
AIM: The aim of the study is to assess the awareness about the oral manifestations of covid 19 among pre clinical dental students.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: An online questionnaire was created and 121 responses were collected in total from the survey. The data was collected and entered in SPSS software and a chi square test was done, represented by bar graphs and pie charts.
RESULTS: The Dentists have treated patients with irregular ulcers where the 18-20 age group counted for 53.3% and 21-24 counted for 18.9% and above 44 had 24.6% which was also statistically significant. 58.20% participants knew that loss of taste is a symptom of covid 19. 37.70% of the participants did not know that loss of taste is a symptom of covid 19. Taste disorder may be the common symptom in patients with COVID 19 and should be
considered in the scope of the disease onset. Considering the pandemic situation the dentist have taken proper precautions and are aware about the oral manifestation.
CONCLUSION: Dental health professionals need regular educational activities and training programs on infection prevention practices with respect to COVID 19 infection to help the health care sector in case the demand arises.