COVID‐19 impact, knowledge and preparedness among dental hygienists in Saudi Arabia: A cross‐sectional study

Alkhalifah, Futun N.; Tobbal, Ayoub Y.; Fried, Jacquelyn L.

OBJECTIVES: The study investigates the impact of COVID‐19 on dental hygiene professionals practising in Saudi Arabia, and measuring the knowledge and preparedness of dental hygienists to provide care during the pandemic. METHODS: A non‐experimental, cross‐sectional study was conducted targeting dental hygiene professionals in Saudi Arabia. The online survey consisted of 31 close‐ended questions: 9‐items related to demographics, and 22‐items that are COVID‐19 related. Data were tested at two levels; descriptive and preliminary using Chi‐square test, and significance was set at the 0.05 level. RESULTS: One hundred and thirty‐one responses were received and the final sample included one hundred and eighteen responses as it excluded unemployed dental hygienists with estimated 39.6% response rate. The stress level to return to practice was considered moderate among 65.3% of participants. Over two‐thirds (73.7%) of dental hygienists were not providing any kind of care/treatment during quarantine. Generally, a moderate level of knowledge (57.8%) was demonstrated by participants. For preparedness level to practice during the pandemic, sixty‐four dental hygienists (54.2%) were adequately prepared to provide care. Significant correlations were found between impact and knowledge (p = 0.045), impact and preparedness (p = 0.053), and knowledge and preparedness (p = 0.024). CONCLUSIONS: Dissemination of COVID‐19 protocols, guidelines and scientific literature increased the respondents’ level of knowledge and preparedness to an adequate level. This study indicated that knowledgeable dental hygienists were significantly more prepared to treat patients during the pandemic and that stress positively influenced the COVID‐19 knowledge acquisition. Non‐practising dental hygienists during quarantine were more knowledgeable and more prepared to practice during the pandemic.