A Cross-Sectional Study to Evaluate the Impact of Covid-19 Pandemic in Patient’s Decision-Making for Dental Prosthetic Treatment Among Indian Population

Abstract

A descriptive cross-sectional epidemiological study was conducted to assess the effect of Covid- 19 pandemic circumstance in determining the patient’s choice of the proposed prosthodontics treatment plan and factors influencing them to not accept the proposed treatment plan. The sample of 300 patients was collected randomly and they were asked to answer the questions about accepting the proposed prosthodontic treatment plan and the reasons for not accepting the treatment plan during the COVID-19 Pandemic situation. Descriptive statistics, such as frequencies, descriptive measures and percentages for categorical variables were obtained. Comparisons between explanatory variables were performed by using the chi-square test. Cross tabulation analysis was computed using each item in decision-making. About 79.3% of the total 300 respondents did not accept the proposed treatment plan, while only 20.7% accepted the treatment plan offered by the dental specialist during the covid-19 situation. The reasons for respondents declining to receive the prosthetic treatment are recorded as 11 reasons such as high expenditure during covid-19, fear of covid-19 infection, need for quick treatment, dependency in covid-19 circumstances and so on. Coronavirus has a significant impact on patients taking dental treatment. This is reflected in the high level of patients encountering fear and stress of getting infected while seeking dental care. Financial stressors in the general populace will require alleviation, and speedy changes in policy would help. At long last, National Health Programs should be revitalized and strengthened.