Dentists’ Knowledge, Attitude, and Awareness of Infection Control Measures during COVID-19 Outbreak: A Cross-Sectional Study in Saudi Arabia

The concern regarding coronavirus is increasing and new cases are emerging all over the world. As a group of researchers, we are doing a short (<5 min) survey to assess the level of knowledge that we have about coronavirus. We request your kind support to participate in this survey and also recommend your colleagues in Saudi Arabia to participate in it. This survey is anonymous; the information you provide is only for educational and research purposes and it will be treated confidentially. Your participation is highly appreciated.

Consent

I agree to participate in this study ○Yes ○No

I.  Demographic and general characteristics

1. Gender ○Male ○Female

2. Age group ○ 20–29 ○ 30–39 ○ 40–49 ○ 50–59 ○ ≥60

3. Years of practice ○ 0–9 ○ 10–19 ○ 20–29 ○ 30–39 ○ 40–50

4. Region of practice in Saudi Arabia: ○ Northern ○ Southern ○ Western ○ Eastern ○ Central

5. You are currently working in: ○ Academia ○ Private sector ○ Public sector ○ Military ○ Other

6. Have you completed a master/PhD or residency program in dentistry? ○ Yes ○ No

7. Do you have any infection control in dentistry? ○ Yes ○ No

8. Have you attended any training or received lectures regarding COVID-19? ○ Yes ○ No

II.  Knowledge

9. What is the incubation period of corona virus? ○ 2–7 days ○ 2–14 days ○ 7–14 days ○ 7–21 days

10. Which of the following are symptoms of COVID-19? select all applicable ○ Fever ○ Cough ○ Runny nose ○ Sore throat ○ Shortness of breath ○ Joint/muscle pain ○ Red yes ○ Skin rash ○ Diarrhea ○ Vomiting ○ May present with no symptoms

11. How can COVID-19 be transmitted? Select all applicable ○ Via coughing and sneezing ○ Hans shaking ○ Touching surfaces as doorknobs and tables

12. Which of the following should be considered to identify patients at risk of having COVID-19? Select all applicable ○ The presence of symptoms of diarrhea ○ The presence of symptoms of respiratory infection ○ History of travel to areas experiencing transmission of COVID-19 ○ History of contact with possible infected patients

13. Which of the following measures should be taken to prevent transmission from known or suspected COVID-19 patients? select all applicable ○ Eat boiled and cooked food ○ Put facemasks on known or suspected patients ○ Place known or suspected patients in adequately ventilated single rooms ○ All health staff members wear protective clothing ○ Avoid moving and transporting patients out of their area unless necessary ○ Frequently clean hands by using alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water

14. Personal protective equipment such as dental goggles, FFP2 (KN95) masks, and gloves are useful in protecting me from a patient suspected to have COVID-19? ○ Disagree ○ Agree ○ Neutral

15. How important is to change both masks and gloves to decrease the possibility of transmitting infections to patients and to myself? ○ Very important ○ Important ○ Little important ○ Not important

III.  Risk perception and preparedness

16. How do you perceive COVID-19? ○ Very dangerous ○ Moderately dangerous ○ Not dangerous

17. Do you believe COVID-19 is not currently a serious health issue? ○ Yes ○ No

18. COVID-19 symptoms often resolve with time and do not require any special treatment? ○ Yes ○ No

19. Is it important to educate people about COVID-19 to prevent the spread of the disease? ○ Yes ○ No

20. Do you prefer to avoid working with a patient who is suspected of COVID-19? ○ Yes ○ No

21. What would you do in case a patient is sneezing or coughing in your clinic? ○ Refuse treating the patient and ask him/her to leave the clinic ○ Threat the patient and ask him/her to go to hospital ○ Refer the patient to hospital without treating him/her

22. Do you think about asking patients to set far from each other, wearing masks while in the waiting room, and washing hands before getting in the dental chair? ○ Necessary and help to decrease disease transmission ○ Not necessary and could cause panic

23. Would you allow any of your dental staff to work with patients if they have flu-like symptoms? ○ Yes ○ No

24. What do you think about the dentist’s role in teaching others about COVID-19? ○ Very significant ○ Moderately significant ○ Mildly significant ○ Not significant at all

25. Do you know whom to contact in a situation where there has been an unprotected exposure to a known or suspected COVID-19 patient? ○ Yes ○ No

26. Do you know what to do if you have signs or symptoms suspected of COVID-19 infection? ○ Yes ○ No