Mental health status of dentists during COVID‐19 pandemic: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

BACKGROUND: The effect of coronavirus disease‐2019 (COVID‐19) on the mental health status of dentists has been studied in various studies. The aim of this study was to review the mental health status of dentists during COVID‐19 pandemic. METHODS: English databases including PubMed, Web of Science and Scopus were systematically searched till July 2021. Studies that examined the mental health status of dentists during COVID‐19 pandemic were included. The heterogeneity of articles was assessed with the Cochran Test and I (2) statistics. The prevalence rates of anxiety, fear, sadness, concern, and anger were calculated using the random‐effect model. FINDINGS: Of 560 initial searched articles, 15 articles were eligible to include. The prevalence of anxiety, fear of carrying the infection, fear of getting infected, fear of getting quarantined, and fear of dying people by COVID‐19 were 64%, 92%, 85%, 61%, and 65%, respectively. The distribution frequency of light, moderate, and intense sadness was 22%, 25%, and 30%, respectively; light, moderate, and intense anger was 21%, 14%, and 23%, respectively; light, moderate, and intense concern was 30%, 30%, and 34%, respectively; light, moderate, and intense fear was 38%, 24%, and 15%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Fear of COVID‐19 and anxiety was very high among dentists. A significant proportion of dentists had moderate to intense COVID‐19‐associated sadness, concern, and anger. Providing educational content along with providing the necessary personal protective equipment and extensive vaccinations will help maintain the mental health of dentists and provide better quality services.