Perceived Threat towards COVID-19 Infection among Dental Patients of Odisha: A Qualitative Study

Abstract Introduction: The global catastrophe caused by COVID-19 needs no elaboration. Among potential transmission sources, dental services have received a high attention; hence, the dental patients’ perceived threat for infection and attitudes about receiving dental care during the pandemic are important aspects which need to be explored. Objective: The objective of this study was to explore the perceived threat of the patients to COVID-19 and related attitude and beliefs about professional dental care visit during the pandemic. Methodology: This qualitative study was conducted among 30 dental patients visiting a tertiary healthcare center in Odisha, using a semistructured in-depth interview guide. Results: The thematic analysis of the responses reflected that all respondents had low perception of susceptibility to COVID-19 in dental hospital setting. Hence, there was only one category that emerged under the theme of perceived susceptibility. This outcome was in turn influenced by three subcategories of beliefs of the individual participant, that is, awareness about COVID-19 infection, environmental risk perception, and individual risk perception. Conclusion: Lack of knowledge and awareness about the disease, less personal risk perception, and less perceived threat of infection from dental setting were found to be the reasons for less perceived susceptibility of the respondents to COVID-19 infection as explored in this study. Our findings emphasize the need for properly planned public awareness and education programs regarding dental care, in a pandemic situation.