Knowledge about COVID-19 and pandemic impact on Madrid dental students (Spain)

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 has had a major impact on dental activity, with implications on dental education. The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge about it and the pandemic impact on Spanish dental students. MATERIAL AND METHODS: An observational and cross-sectional study with a 17-items questionnaire was conducted. It was divided into three sections, sociodemographic data, self-perception and knowledge about the COVID-19 protective measures and repercussions on dental students. This survey was carried out in May 2020, and the response rate was 46.16%. The statistical analysis was performed by the Pearson chi-square test and Fisher’s exact test. RESULTS: A total of 235 students responded to the questionnaire, with an average age of 22.3 years. Attendance at COVID-19 training courses, knowledge about the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) management and the incubation period had the worst results, compared to the knowledge about hand washing, wearing gloves and masks and symptomatology who got higher percentages. 31.1% of participants reported presenting symptomatology related to SARS-CoV-2, although only 8.2% were diagnosed and 46.6% suffered quarantine. 62.5% were afraid to catch the disease. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study show that there are deficiencies in the knowledge of important aspects of COVID-19 in dental students, which implies a commitment of the university in its training, as well as the realization of diagnostic controls for the disease. Key words:Dental students, SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19, survey, knowledge.