Dental personnel in Israel, Canada, and France during the COVID-19 pandemic: Attitudes, worries, emotional responses, and posttraumatic growth

Objectives: The spread of COVID-19 has posed significant chal lenges for dental professionals worldwide. The aims of the pres ent study were twofold: (i) to study the attitudes, emotional responses, and worries among the dental personnel; and (ii) to look for the ability of dental personnel to experience posttrau matic self-growth as a result of the distress caused by the pan demic. Method and materials: A cross-sectional online survey using an anonymous questionnaire was performed simultane ously in Israel, Canada, and France during the initial lockdown period. Results: Israeli dental practitioners were less worried about their physical health, mental health, or relationships with family and friends than their Canadian and French counter parts. The Canadian dental practitioners were most committed and most willing to treat their patients, as well as most con cerned about not being able to treat patients in the same per sonal way as before the lockdown. French dental practitioners showed the highest level of fear to treat patients. There were no differences in dental practitioners' levels of anxiety, depres sion, or posttraumatic growth among the countries. Dental practitioners' posttraumatic growth was significantly associ ated with worries regarding their physical health. Conclusion: Responses of dental personnel to the COVID-19 pandemic varied worldwide. Despite the differences, evidence exists that some of the dental practitioners' worries and concerns are as sociated with psychologic growth as a result of the pandemic. Better understanding and acknowledgment of dental person nel's worries and concerns can facilitate growth and enable positive functioning under the continuous situation of uncer tainty.