“Perceptions and utilization of dental care amongpatients during COVID 19 pandemicâ€

The World Health Organization on March 11 declared COVID-19 a pandemic, pointing to the over 118,000 cases of the corona virus illness in over 110 countries and territories around the world and the sustained risk of further global spread. The first case of the 2019–20 corona virus pandemic in India was reported on 30 January 2020 in Kerala State of India and currently as on 25/06/2020 the total number of active cases rose to 186514.To curb the spread of COVID 19 infection, the Government of India imposed lockdown in the country and allowed provision of only emergency medical services. The dental treatment in this regard was no different and initially only emergency dental services were kept functional. With a continuous series of lockdowns following a rapid rise in the number of cases there was a steep increase in complaints related to oral health and the number of patients visiting the Centre for Dental Education and Research, AIIMS, New Delhi. Studies conducted prior have only emphasized on the assessment of knowledge, attitudes and practices; however, neglecting the perception and utilisation of dental services by dental patients. Hence, the present study will be carried out to assess the perceptions and utilization of dental care among patients during  COVID 19 pandemic.