COVID-19 VACCINE ACCEPTABILITY AND ATTITUDE AMONG A SAMPLE OF SAUDI DENTAL STUDENTS: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Introduction: Dental teams are high priority groups for early access to the COVID-19 vaccine because of close contact between dental teams and potentially infected patients. This study assessed COVID-19 vaccine acceptability, awareness, and attitudes among dental students in Saudi Arabia. Materials and methods: We administered an anonymous cross-sectional survey to dental students. Our survey assessed factors related to COVID-19 vaccine acceptance. Results: Among all dental students who received the survey, 247 were responded (40.8 %). 64 % reported high acceptability of the COVID-19 vaccine. Additionally, 27.1% were unsure, and 8.9% reported low acceptability. Using a stepwise model, we found a strong association with COVID-19 vaccine safety overall (OR=5.882, 95% CI: 1.675-20.408). [Write factors that contributed to low acceptability here) most contributed to low acceptability. Concern over vaccine safety due to quick manufacture (OR=2.353, 9 5% CI: 1.325-4.184) strongly contributed to dental students being unsure about the vaccine. Conclusion: Our results indicate the importance of enhancing our dental educational curriculum with information about vaccine promoting the COVID-19 vaccine among dental students.

Automated summary

This study assessed the acceptability, awareness, and attitudes towards the COVID-19 vaccine among dental students in Saudi Arabia. The results showed that the majority of dental students had a high acceptability of the vaccine, but there were also some students who were unsure or had low acceptability. Vaccine safety was found to be an important factor influencing students' attitudes.