Document Type : Original Article
Authors
- . Morteza Oshagh
- . Hooman Zarif Najafi 1
- . Hamid Jafarzadeh 2
- . Faegheh Gholinia 3
- . Kazem Dalaie 4
- . Habib Jahanbazi 5
1 Associate Professor, Orthodontic Research Center, Department of Orthodontics, School of Dentistry, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
2 Professor, Department of Endodontics, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
3 Assistant Professor, Department of Orthodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran
4 Assistant Professor, Department of Orthodontics, School of Dentistry, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
5 Orthodontist, Private Practice, Shahre Kord, Tehran, Iran
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The coronavirus disease (COVID) is predicted to cause serious mental health
problems among healthcare providers (HCPs) especially dentists. Also understanding the influencing
factors of the acceptance of COVID‑19 vaccination among HCPs are important aspects in the design
of effective strategies to improve the vaccine coverage rate. Therefore, this study aimed to assess
the knowledge, vaccination acceptance, fear, and obsession, as well as the preventive practice
behaviors of Iranian dentists and dental students in late 2020 toward COVID‑19.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: A descriptive, web‑based cross‑sectional survey was conducted
among Iranian dental students and dentists (general practitioners and specialists). All Iranian dentists
and dental students living in the Islamic Republic of Iran regardless of their city and workplace were
invited to participate in the study. The total number of dentists in Iran was estimated to be 54,927. The
sample size was calculated 380. The questionnaires used in this study were adapted from previously
published studies based on the authors’ permission. The questionnaire consisted of four sections
that sought to collect information on the respondents’ vaccination acceptance, knowledge, preventive
practice, fear, and obsession toward COVID‑19. The relationship between the study variables was
assessed using Pearson’s correlation coefficient and also multiple linear regression tests.
RESULTS: Overall, 394 dentists were filled the questionnaire (65 dental students, 151 general
dentists and 178 specialists). There were no differences in terms of vaccination acceptance,
knowledge and also fear score in different designation groups. Dentists had significantly higher
obsession and also preventive practice scores than other designation groups (P < 0.05). The majority
of respondents had good knowledge (more than 9), acceptable preventive practice (more than 19),
low fear‑obsession (<2.7), and high acceptance of COVID‑19 vaccination (more than 8.8).
CONCLUSIONS: Although obsession and fear scores were low in all designation groups, dentists
had higher obsession and also preventive practice scores than other designation groups. More than
half of respondents preferred imported COVID‑19 vaccines. Finally, organizations such as the World
Health Organization and the Ministry of Public Health in Iran should increase vaccine convenience
and accessibility in terms of vaccine importing, distribution, supply, and immunization service.
Keywords
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