Mental Health Status of Dentists in an Indian Metropolitan City during the Post-Lockdown Period of the Covid-19 Pandemic – A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Introduction – The Covid-19 Pandemic predisposed healthcare workers including dentists to an array of mental health issues. This study was undertaken to assess this psychological impact among dentists in Bangalore during the post-lockdown period of the second wave due to COVID-19.

Materials and methods- The cross-sectional study was conducted in the post-lockdown period of the covid-19 pandemic through online questionnaire forms circulated among private dentists registered with the Karnataka Dental Council of India practicing in Bangalore. Multivariate binary logistic regression was employed for the statistical analysis.

Results- Among the 843 respondents, 83.5 %, 29.4 %, and 60% were reported to have depression, anxiety, and stress respectively. Regression analysis showed that the concerns about the safety of the dental staff in the clinic setup, that of performing aerosol-producing dental procedures, and the presence of comorbidities predisposed the dentists to these psychological conditions. Confidence in the safety offered by PPE kits used during dental procedures and performing dental procedures that did not produce aerosols had a protective impact against a propensity to these psychological problems.

Conclusion- The present study gives a comprehensive picture of the negative psychological impact of the second wave of the covid-19 pandemic on the mental health of dentists in India.

Keywords- Anxiety, Covid-19, Dentists, Depression, Stress