COVID-19 outbreak and dental health care provision in Nigeria: a national survey

Background The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the world is unprecedented, posing greater threats to vulnerable healthcare systems, especially in developing countries. This study aimed to assess the knowledge of dental healthcare providers in Nigeria about the disease and evaluate their responses to the preventive measures necessitated by COVID-19. Methods This was an online self-administered questionnaire-based study conducted among dentists practicing in Nigeria. A message containing the link to the survey was sent widely via social medial platforms and electronic mails to dentists practicing in Nigeria. The data collection was done between the 2(nd) of June and 3rd of July 2020. Results A total of 314 responses was recorded. Fever was the most specified generalized symptom (97.5%), while the use of masks (100%), hand hygiene (99.7%), social distancing (97.7%) and surface cleaning (99.4%) were the most commonly employed general preventive methods. The main identified risk of transmission in the clinic was aerosol generating procedures (98.7%). Conclusion The general knowledge of dental personnel in our study population appears to be adequate on the common clinical features of COVID-19 but less adequate regarding the less common features. The COVID-19 pandemic has also modified some aspects of dental service delivery but more needs to be done in this regard. Preventive measures against the transmission of COVID-19 in dental practice settings include proper utilization of teledentistry, clinical triage, preprocedural 1% hydrogen peroxide oral rinses, and the use of appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) which should always be encouraged.

Automated summary

Dental healthcare providers in Nigeria have a good understanding of the symptoms and preventive measures of COVID-19, with fever being the most common symptom and aerosol generating procedures identified as the main transmission risk in clinics. However, there is still room for improvement in their knowledge of less common features. The study suggests the utilization of teledentistry, clinical triage, preprocedural 1% hydrogen peroxide oral rinses, and proper Personal Protective Equipment to prevent transmission in dental practice settings.