Indian Endodontists and Stress in COVID-19 Pandemic

• Main Authors: Anil Kumar Ramachandran Nair, Chellaswamy Savrimalai Karumaran, Deepthi Kattula, Rooban Thavarajah, Anusa Arunachalam Mohandoss
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Editorial Ciencias Médicas 2020-07-01
• Series: Revista Cubana de Estomatología
• Subjects: stress; distress; india; endodontists; aerosol; covid-19; perception.
• Online Access: http://www.revestomatologia.sld.cu/index.php/est/article/view/3445
• ISSN: 0034-7507; 1561-297X

Background: The novel 2019 COVID-19 spreads by respiratory and aerosols. COVID-19 driven pandemic causes panic, fear and stress among all strata of society. Like all other medical professions, dentists, particularly endodontists, who are highly exposed to aerosols would be exposed to stress. Objective: To survey the Indian endodontists to better understand their levels of psychological stress during the Indian lockdown COVID-19 Pandemic. Methods: From 8th April to 16th April 2020, we conducted an online survey in closed endodontic social media using snowball sampling technique, collecting basic demographic data, practice setting and relevant data. Psychological stress and perceived distress were collected through COVID-19 Peri-traumatic Distress Index and Perceived stress scale. Multinomial regression analysis was performed to estimate relative risk rate and p ≤ 0.05 was considered significant. Results: This study had 586 Indian endodontists completing this survey across India. Of these, 311(53.07 %) were males, 325(55 %) in the age group of 25-35 years, 64 % in urban areas, 13.14 % in solo-practice and a fourth of them were residents. Female endodontists had high perceived stress (RRR = 2.46, p = 0.01) as compared to males, as measured by PSS. Younger endodontists < 25 years (RRR = 9.75; p = 0.002) and 25-35years (RRR = 4.60; p = 0.004) as compared with > 45 years age-group had more distress. Exclusive consultants had RRR = 2.90, p = 0.02, for mild-to-moderate distress as compared to normal. Factors driving this phenomenon are considered. Conclusions: During the lock down due to COVID-19, 1-in-2 Indian endodontists had distress, as measured by CPDI and 4-in-5 of them had perceived stress, as indicated by PSS. Our model identified certain factors driving the (dis)stress, which would help policy framers to initiate appropriate response.