The Overall Psychological Impact of COVID-19 on Dental Health Care Professionals: A Scoping Review

Abstract

The aim of this scoping review was to assess the overall psychological impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the dental health care professionals. The study included a systematic search of various databases using relevant keywords. The literature was limited to English language, studies typically pertaining to Dental Health Care Professionals and all types of study designs were considered. The inclusion criteria was particularly based only on dental health care professionals which included dental practitioners, dental students, dental hygienists and dental professors/academicians, their psychological status regarding COVID-19. A total of 237 records were obtained at first out of which 12 were included in the study according to the inclusion criteria abiding by the PRISMA guidelines. The studies showed an increased amount of stress and anxiety apparent in dental health care professionals, students and auxiliaries which was mainly due to the fear of acquiring and transmitting the disease, uncertain professional future and financial stress.