The Psychological Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Oral Health Care Workers and its Impact on Their Willingness to Work During this Pandemic

Abstract

This study was aimed to investigate the relationship between the psychological status of oral health care workers (OHCWs) and the willingness to treat a patient during the COVID-19 pandemic. This cross-sectional study was carried out on oral health care workers at ten different dental hospitals in Pakistan from March to July 2020. Information on the socio-demographic status, and willingness to report for duty and treat patients during the COVID-19 pandemic were assessed using a self-administered questionnaire. The psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic was assessed using the Urdu version of the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale and Impact of Events Scale. Simple and multiple linear regression tests were used for analysis. A total of 392 OHCWs participated in this study and 25% of them had moderate to severe anxiety levels and only 14% had post-traumatic stress disorder. About 26% of the OHCWs were willing to work and treat patients during the COVID-19 pandemic and they had lower anxiety and stress scores. Greater anxiety and stress were associated with participants who were older, female, single, married, living with family and friends. The adjusted coefficients of GAD and IES scores were greater in participants who were not willing and unsure to work compared to their colleagues who were willing. The OHCWs are anxious and stressed because of the COVID-19 outbreak and that affects the perception of whether they should work and treat patients during the pandemic.