Introduction:

the COVID-19 pandemic has affected dental practice, due to the high risk of contagion during its practice. The objective of the study was to evaluate the level of anxiety; emotions and measures taken by dentists during COVID-19 pandemic in Lima Metropolitana-Peru.

Methods:

the study was descriptive, prospective, and cross-sectional carried out in 386 dentists practicing in Lima Metropolitan-Peru during the first months of 2021. Level of anxiety was assessed by “Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item” (GAD-7) scale. A questionnaire was developed and validated to evaluate emotions and measures taken and was sent through different social networks.

Results:

mild and moderate anxiety were present in 42.5% and 21.2% respectively, with higher levels of severity in women (p<0.001). The higher the age and number of years of professional experience, the level of anxiety was lower (Rho=-0.132; p=0.009) and (Rho=-0.129, p=0.011). The emotions increased as the level of anxiety was higher p<0.001. 97.7% stated that they had modified the use of personal protective equipment such as the use of N95-type respiratory masks and face shields, and 48.7% revealed that they had some difficulty in obtaining it. The most used measure in clinical practice was hand washing before and after treatment (92.7%), while the use of ultraviolet light (42.5%) was the least used.

Conclusions:

dentists have changed care protocol, manifesting different levels of anxiety accompanied by negative emotions during COVID-19 pandemic.

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