Introduction. The novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is a serious pandemic that caused viral respiratory illness. The aim of this study was to evaluate knowledge about COVID-19 pandemic in patients having attended dental clinics in Birjand. Materials and methods. This study was conducted as a cross-sectional survey among 270 patients attending to dental clinics. They were asked to complete a standardized questionnaire. The sampling method was counting of all participants. The questionnaire included demographic information and covid-19 knowledge. The collected data was analyzed by descriptive statistical methods and chi-square test using SPSS software. Results and discussion. The study, performed in February, showed that 19.5%, 30.6% and 49.9% of the respondents had poor, fair and satisfactory level about Covid-19, respectively. Above 65% of them answered correctly to all questions. Men had poorer information (P = 0.014), the statistical tests released showing that knowledge had a significant association with educational level, age and monthly income among respondents (P <0.05). Conclusions. Patients knowledge about SARS-CoV-2 is generally good. Further steps need to be taken to educate the patient about its transmission in a dental clinic. Also, training programs about mechanism of potential spread of COVID are suggested for improving the existing knowledge.
Keywords:- awareness
- covid-19
- dentistry
- KNOWLEDGE