Journal of Indian Association of Public Health Dentistry

ORIGINAL ARTICLE
Year
: 2021  |  Volume : 19  |  Issue : 2  |  Page : 115--121

Assessment of mental health among dental professionals in North India during COVID-19 global pandemic: A web-based survey


Amit Khatri1, Puja Sabherwal1, Sukhvinder Singh Oberoi2, Namita Kalra1, Rishi Tyagi1, Padma Yangdol1 
1 Department of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, University College of Medical Sciences, Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital (University of Delhi), Delhi, India
2 Department of Public Health Dentistry, GIDSR, Ferozpur, Punjab, India

Correspondence Address:
Amit Khatri
Department of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, University College of Medical Sciences, Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital (University of Delhi), Delhi - 110 095
India

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has taken a toll on mental health status of all health-care workers. Among them, dentists are at high risk due to being in close contact, facing moral responsibilities to reduce routine work, and financial implications which follow. We performed a study to assess the mental health status of dental professionals all over North India in present times. Materials and Methods: A structured 27-item questionnaire developed on Google forms was circulated to dentists across North India. Patient Health Questionnaire-9 Scale was used to assess/grade depression, Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 was used to screen/grade anxiety and worry/fear regarding other related aspects was studied. Results: One hundred and fifty-five responses were obtained, and data were analyzed using the SPSS software version 25.0. All participants belonged to the age range of 23–65 years with 78 males, 76 females, and 1 other. A majority of dentists (59.4%) were experiencing depression and considerable proportions (46.5%) were experiencing anxiety. Nearly all dentists (98.1%) were worried about changing dental practices and majority (72.9%) were fearful of doing aerosol procedure despite using protective equipment. The data were further analyzed for variation based on gender, qualification, years of experience, and job. Conclusion: In a pandemic, amidst burden of physical/financial needs, psychological needs are often overlooked. Currently, a considerable portion of dentists across North India are already experiencing mental health issues, there is a need to implement strategies to tackle the same.


How to cite this article:
Khatri A, Sabherwal P, Oberoi SS, Kalra N, Tyagi R, Yangdol P. Assessment of mental health among dental professionals in North India during COVID-19 global pandemic: A web-based survey.J Indian Assoc Public Health Dent 2021;19:115-121


How to cite this URL:
Khatri A, Sabherwal P, Oberoi SS, Kalra N, Tyagi R, Yangdol P. Assessment of mental health among dental professionals in North India during COVID-19 global pandemic: A web-based survey. J Indian Assoc Public Health Dent [serial online] 2021 [cited 2024 Mar 28 ];19:115-121
Available from: https://journals.lww.com/aphd/pages/default.aspx/article.asp?issn=2319-5932;year=2021;volume=19;issue=2;spage=115;epage=121;aulast=Khatri;type=0