Restoring the Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Using Face Masks, Laboratory Aprons and Gloves among Dental Students During COVID-19 Outbreak in Faridabad District, India

COVID-19 outbreak has classified dentistry as the very-high-risk category of occupation involved with infections due to aerosol production. It is imperative to improve strategies for the prevention of health care associated infections (HCAI). To evaluate the knowledge, practice and attitude (KAP) of using three basics of dentistryfacemasks, laboratory apron and gloves, among dental students during COVID-19 outbreak. A cross sectional survey among dental interns, postgraduate students and undergraduate students of all years from a private dental college in Faridabad (NCR), Haryana, India. A pre-tested questionnaire on knowledge, practice, attitude was distributed to the participants. Total number of participants were 351 students. The data was statistically analyzed using SPSS version 24.0. KAP score was calculated and presented as mean and standard deviation using student ttest and one-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). Statistical significance was set at p<0.05. The response of the study was 87.75% (351/400). The overall KAP mean score was 20.07 with knowledge score of 8.56, attitude 5.15 and practice 6.56. There was a statistically significant difference with respect to knowledge and overall KAP scores of different years of study. Knowledge, attitude and practice for infection control and prevention (IPC) among dental students was inadequate. Enforcing and educating students on HCAI and basic use of facemask, gloves and apron can reduce the risk of infection substantially in a developing county where there is a shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE).