| dc.description.abstract | Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess parental knowledge of COVID-19 and attitudes to dental treatment in the current COVID-19 climate. To assess whether the COVID-19 pandemic has the potential to prompt parents to consider how the application of procedures, such as SDF and techniques such as the HT and ART, fit into the quality-of-care spectrum, given that such therapies are non-aerosol generating. Also, to assess whether history of COVID-19 infection and comprehension of AGPs is associated with parental preference to more conservative caries management options.
Methods: Parents/guardians of children, attending four pediatric dental offices in the DFW area, were invited to participate in a paper-based questionnaire to assess parental knowledge of COVID-19, attitude to oral health, practices surrounding attending the dentist during the COVID-19 pandemic and treatment preferences.
Results: A total of 118 questionnaires were completed. Thirty-three percent (n=39) of parents reported a history of COVID-19. Eighty-eight percent (n=104) agreed that they follow CDC recommendations to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Seventy-six percent (n=90) reported they had not heard of the term AGP. A conventional filling was ranked as the preferred treatment options by parents (n=63). Extraction was ranked as the least preferred treatment option (n=51). These preferences remained consistent irrespective of personal history of COVID-19 and reported understanding of the term AGP.
Conclusions: Knowledge of COVID-19 infection and necessary precautions among participants in this study was high. Knowledge of AGPs was low and was not factored into treatment decisions of the majority of parents. A conventional filling was the preferred treatment option of parents/guardians and extraction the least preferred treatment option. There was no association between COVID-19 and treatment preferences. | en |
