| ORIGINAL ARTICLE |
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| Year : 2020 | Volume
: 7
| Issue : 4 | Page : 187-192 |
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Orthodontists' apprehension and viewpoint regarding COVID-19: A survey of Indian orthodontists
Sakshi Rakhyani, Prashant Sharma, Pradeep Raghav, Munish Reddy, Shalu Jain
Department of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, Subharti Dental College, Swami Vivekanand Subharti University, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, India
Correspondence Address:
Sakshi Rakhyani
Department of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, Subharti Dental College, Swami Vivekand Subharti University, Meerut - 250 005, Uttar Pradesh
India
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
DOI: 10.4103/jdrr.jdrr_58_20
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Aim: To assess the apprehension and viewpoint of Indian orthodontists about the outbreak of pandemic COVID-19. Subjects and Methods: A survey was conducted in April 2020, for which an online questionnaire was prepared in English language using Google Forms to collect the data. The questionnaire consisted of ten multiple-choice questions; one concerning the work setting of participants and the remaining concerning the information and effect of coronavirus pandemic. The data were summarized in percentage form for the ease of evaluating results. Results: 314 forms were completed and returned. 88.9% of orthodontists believed that COVID-19 and the following lockdown imposed by the authorities to prevent its spread has profoundly affected orthodontic practice. About 56.1% of the orthodontists said that more than three-fourths of their patients understand that there will be a delay in their treatment due to the pandemic. About 38.1% of the orthodontists believed that around 3–6 months will be required for the practice to normalize. Most importantly, 39.4% of the orthodontists were unable to make up their mind regarding transferring the cost of personal protective equipment to their patients when practicing emergency/elective procedures on them. Conclusions: Orthodontists as well the patients undergoing orthodontic treatment understand the gravity of epidemic and therefore more importance is being given to solve the emergencies over the call itself. Orthodontists believe that with a decrease in the disposable income of people, there will be a decline in orthodontic requirements in the country and that a time period between 3 and 6 months will be required to normalize the practice.
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