The Psychological Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Private Dental Practitioners in Bangladesh: A Cross-Sectional Online Survey

Zaki, Mohammed Mahbub; Ahmed, Anam; Awal, Md. Abdul; Taleb, Asma

doi:10.5281/zenodo.17732172

Published January 2021 | Version v1

Journal article Open

The Psychological Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Private Dental Practitioners in Bangladesh: A Cross-Sectional Online Survey

1. Consultant, Department of Prosthodontics, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University
2. Associate Professor (CC), Department of Dental Public Health, University Dental College, Dhaka
3. Assistant Professor, Department of Prosthodontics, Dhaka Dental College
4. Dental Surgeon, Dhaka.

Contributors

Contact person (2):

1. Consultant, Department of Prosthodontics, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University. Email: mahbubzaki@yahoo.com
2. Associate Professor (CC), Department of Dental Public Health, University Dental College, Dhaka. Email; dph.udc@gmail.com

Abstarct

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic presented healthcare systems with numerous unprecedented challenges. Dentists had a high risk of infection and psychological distress owing to the fact that their work involves aerosol-generating procedures and close contact with patients. The objective of this study is to assess the psychological impact (depression, anxiety, and stress) and practice-related challenges amongst private dental practitioners of Bangladesh during the early stage of the pandemic.
Methods: A cross-sectional, descriptive study was conducted from July to September 2020. A self-administered structured questionnaire including the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) was prepared and was distributed online through the WhatsApp and Messenger to the private dental practitioners of Bangladesh. A total of 118 dentists voluntarily participated. Information about the socio-demographics, modifications to the practice and perceived stressors was collected using descriptive statistics.
Results: This study was a descriptive cross-sectional study in design that included 118 Bangladeshi dental practitioners. Most of them were male within the age group 25 to 34 years and most of them practice in their own clinic. A majority indicated that they saw a large drop in the volume of patients as well as income. For instance, 83.9% of them saw a drop in their income of over 50% while 69.5% of them reported not having adequate PPE. Stressors due to COVID-19 were at a high level in most respondents. For instance, fear of infecting the family was severe in 61.9% of respondents. 66.9% reported severe economic stress. The psychological assessment following statistical analysis of the DASS-21 scores revealed that 20.3% experienced severe depression. Further, 24.6% experienced severe anxiety. Moreover, 14.4% experienced severe stress.
Conclusion: Private dental practitioners in Bangladesh experienced mental stress and serious practice disruption during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the findings. The excessive prevalence of anxiety, depression, and stress among dental partitioners as well as among their family members necessitates the need for support, operational guidelines, and financial relief urgently.