Level of anxiety caused by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic among dentists in Poland.

Abstract Background: The early information on both the speed and high morbidity rate and, above all, mortality, triggered the symptoms of COVID-19-related panic and anxiety. Dentists were listed in the top five professions with the highest risk of transmission of the virus. The paper aimed to assess the level of anxiety among dentists in Poland. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted via an online survey questionnaire. The study used a tool developed by the team of Ahorsu et al. The COVID-19 Fear Scale (FCV-19S) translated into the Polish language. The online questionnaire was completed by 356 dentists. Results: In the studied population of dentists, the perceived level of anxiety associated with COVID -19 should be considered relatively low. Both gender and work experience had no significant impact on their level. When the respondents had children, lived with the elderly, or looked after them the observed level of anxiety was higher and physical symptoms such as sweating palms and increased heart rate occurred.Conclusion: Despite the high risk of infection, the tested low level of anxiety among dentists is a positive predictor of the appropriate level of medical services provided by this group of doctors.