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Aim: To assess the knowledge and perceptions of COVID-19 among pediatric dentists based on their dependent source of information., Methods: A descriptive-analytical cross-sectional survey using a self-administered questionnaire with 23 questions was sent via Google forms to pediatric dentists. All participants were divided into three groups [postgraduate residents (PGs), private practitioners (PP), and faculty (F)]. The comparison of knowledge and perception scores was made based on occupation, source of information, and descriptive statistics used for the analysis using SPSS 21.0 (IBM, Armonk, NY, USA)., Results: A total of 291 pediatric dentists completed the survey, and the majority of them were females (65%). Overall, good mean scores were obtained for knowledge (9.2 ± 1.07) and perceptions (5.6 ± 1.5). The majority of the participants used health authorities (45%) to obtain updates on COVID-19, while social media (35.1%) and both (19.6%) accounted for the next two. A statistically significant difference ( p < 0.05) was found among different pediatric dentists groups for relying on the source of information., Conclusion: Overall good pediatric dentists showed sufficient knowledge regarding COVID-19. The pediatric dentists' age, occupation, and source of information influenced knowledge regarding COVID-19, whereas perceptions were influenced by age and gender of the participants. Health authorities successfully educated pediatric dentists than the social media.

The recent pandemic outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has created a helpless situation in healthcare systems worldwide. The disease can be transmitted in different ways, e.g., through contact, droplets, fomites, and aerosol-generating procedures. Subsequently, the World Health Organization (WHO) released recommendations regarding precautions to be taken by all healthcare workers, including dentists, in order to avoid the transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). COVID-19 indeed has become a pandemic, and there is a need for an innovative method to continue providing dental care to children with a minimal risk of cross-infection. The objective of this short communication was to draw special attention to the teledentistry model in pediatric dentistry and to guide the management of children with dental problems during the COVID-19 pandemic. Teledentistry is a feasible method and its use can overcome challenges in the present situation. The teledentistry approach enables providing guidance, treatment plans and follow-up with remote-assistance dental care through the use of information technology instead of face-to-face contact with patients.

Introduction: The infection potential of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is remarkable due to its airborne transmission through droplets and aerosols. Paediatric dental needs were severely compromised during the COVID-19 lockdown period. Aim: To assess parents' attitudes and concerns towards approaching paediatric dentists during the COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Department of Paediatric and Preventive Dentistry at Narayana Dental College and Hospital, Nellore, Andhra Pradesh, India, from August 2021 to October 2021. The study included 200 parents to assess the attitudes and concerns towards approaching Paediatric dentists during the COVID-19 pandemic. A structured questionnaire was used through Google forms to collect from parents, information regarding precautions, mode of transmission of the virus and type of treatment option. The Chi-square test and Fischer-exact test were used to compare the parameters such as education and occupation with parents' attitude and knowledge. Results: Out of the 200 parents, 37 were males and 163 were females with mean age of the parents was 34.8 years. Out of total 200, 153 (76.5%) of the parents were worried to visit a Paediatric dentist. Only 56 (28%) of the children suffered from toothache during the pandemic. About 28 (14%) of parents believed that the virus is transmitted through the air and 70% of the parents preferred teledentistry. A 152 (76%) of them were willing to pay extra costs and 123 (61.5%) of respondents expected to treat the emergency condition alone. A statistically significant difference was not observed between different occupation in the answers given about transmission paths of a virus (p-value=0.39), extra payment (p-value=0.77), and preference of approach (p-value=0.223). Conclusion: Majority parents were worried to visit a Paediatric dentist and preferred teledentistry. They were ready to pay extra costs for the sanitisation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During and post COVID-19 pandemic outbreak, it is essential for safeguarding this viral infection control and prevention in pediatric dental practices. The role of parents and pediatric dentist and their dental team requires specific guidance to deal with dental problems of children in the dental operatory during and post-pandemic outbreak of COVID-19 disease. To report dentistry for children during and post COVID-19 pandemic outbreak. The present review highlights the clinical features, possible modes of transmission of COVID-19 in dental operatory, preventive strategies, emergencies that pose a significant challenge, and treatment strategies for dealing with children and parents during and post COVID-19 pandemic. Absolute measures for children during their visit to dental operatory, quality control for pediatric dental clinics, and additional preventive measures associated with examinations and management of dental problems in children have been covered in this insight. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]