| JNDA Vol. 22 No. 1 Issue 34 (January - June 2022) | |
Assessment of Impact of COVID-19 on the Orthodontic Practice in Nepal: An Online Form Survey |
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| Dr. Pushkar Manandhar, Dr. Bishow Prakash Thakur | |
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| Abstract | |
Introduction: Since its outbreak in December 2019 in China, the Coronavirus has changed the world upside down. This study intends to observe the effect of the corona outbreak on Orthodontics and how the current situation is being managed in Nepal. Objective: To assess and evaluate practice modification of Nepalese Orthodontists during the COVID-19 outbreak Materials and Method: After ethical approval from NHRC (Ref. No. 2263), a self-administered questionnaire was distributed amongst seventy-two NMC registered Orthodontists all over Nepal through the mail from October 15, 2021 to November 15, 2021. The questionnaire contained questions about the changes they have faced before and after the outbreak. A quantitative cross-sectional research design and census sampling was done. Result: A total of seventy-two orthodontists responded, of which 43(59.7%) were male of the age group 30-35 years with the clinic as their workplace. The majority of the replies were from inside Kathmandu valley 40(55.60 %). A total of 60(8.30%) of the orthodontist had to completely shut down their department during the outbreak. But 39(54.20%) of them maintained giving service to the patients but with precautions. Almost all 67(93.10%) of the respondents followed different guidelines given by WHO, NDA, NMA, etc. to face the outbreak. Conclusion: As a conclusion, COVID has had a very strong impact in the field of Orthodontics all over Nepal. Nepalese Orthodontists had to undergo practice modification during the COVID-19 outbreak on the basis of their practicing frequency, adopting the guidelines, personal protective equipment use, and management of their workplace. |
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| Keywords | |
Coronavirus disease 2019; emergencies; orthodontics. |
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