Knowledge and Response of Iraqi People on Future Health Care Changes and Visiting Dental Clinics during and after COVID-19

Abstract

Abstract Objectives This article aimed to find out Iraqi people’s opinions on possible dental health care changes and their knowledge, attitude, and expectation toward infection controls in dental settings during and after the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Materials and Methods Different questions were presented regarding possible health care system changes, to gather people’s opinions concerning patients, dentists, and dental clinic tests for contagious viral infections, their history of vaccination, and their readiness to get vaccinated, and finally, how they would feel about visiting their local dental clinics during the COVID-19 pandemic if they faced dental problems. Results Generally, 69% of the respondents believed that the health care system will change in Iraq. A higher percentage of health care workers than nonhealth workers had been vaccinated against hepatitis virus and approximately equal numbers indicated their readiness to be vaccinated against COVID-19 and other contagious viral diseases. Additionally, a higher percentage of health care workers than Non health care workers expressed fear of contracting the infection from dental clinics and the relation was significant. More than two-thirds of respondents stated their inability to visit a dentist because all the dental clinics are closed, and they cannot find a trusted dental clinic. Likewise, the majority preferred to wait until after the outbreak or when the government provides strict control measures and guidelines for dental clinics. Conclusion There was a common belief that the health care system will change after COVID-19 in Iraq. All agreed that dental clinics and the population should be protected against microbial cross-transmission through appropriate infection control measures and vaccination. Future health care changes should include public health education and dental health care personnel training.