Knowledge, Attitudes, and Clinical Practices of Iranian Pediatric Dentists Regarding COVID-19: A Nationwide Cross-Sectional Study

Background and aim: Dentistry is one of the highest-risk professions regarding COVID-19 infection. Given that children are often asymptomatic carriers, pediatric dentists face significant exposure risks. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and clinical practices of Iranian pediatric dentists during the COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using an online, researcher-made questionnaire distributed among 135 pediatric dentists across 26 provinces of Iran. The questionnaire assessed demographic characteristics, general knowledge, and clinical practice/attitudes regarding COVID-19. Results: A total of 135 pediatric dentists participated (71.1% female). The mean general knowledge score was 62.19±9.45 (out of 100), and the mean scores for clinical practice and attitude were 13.20 ± 13.05 and 67.31±18.76 respectively. Male participants demonstrated significantly higher general knowledge compared to females (P<0.001), while no significant differences were observed regarding clinical practice and attitudes (P=0.930). Knowledge scores increased significantly with age (P=0.038). No significant relationship was observed between the workplace setting and the study variables. Conclusions: Although Iranian pediatric dentists demonstrated a moderate level of knowledge regarding COVID-19, their clinical practices and attitudes toward standardized safety protocols were suboptimal. There is a pressing need for targeted training programs to improve adherence to infection control measures and emergency management protocols in pediatric dental practice.