Knowledge and conduct of dental students about mouthwash prior to dental procedures amid the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) generated an unusual condition around the world, affecting the essentials of clinical practice in dentistry. Aim: The purpose of this survey was to determine dental students’ conduct and knowledge regarding using pre-procedural mouthwashes. Methods: A cross-sectional study was undertaken for 148 undergraduate dental students at the Dental College/University of Mosul using an online questionnaire. participated in this survey, where 36.5% were female and 63.5% were male, and The survey format had 12 questions delivered to participants, and the replies were statistically analyzed. The data were imported and analyzed using SPSS software (version 22). Results: The current study found that 59.5% of participants thought pre-procedural mouthwash was helpful in preventing COVID-19 infections in dental settings, while 40.5% of participants believed that it is not, and for the most effective mouthrinse against COVID-19, 48.6% of participants said chlorhexidine for 30 seconds, while 51.4% said chlorhexidine for 60 seconds. Conclusions: Dental students are conscious of the value of pre-procedural mouthwash but need more clarity on the correct concentration, amount, and duration.