Abstract This research aimed to determine the level of knowledge and attitude of dentists in the La Libertad region (Peru) regarding COVID-19. The study was observational, cross-sectional, and correlational. It included 218 dentists registered with the Peruvian Dental Association of the La Libertad Region. The simple random method was used to select the sample. The level of knowledge and attitude was evaluated using a nine-item questionnaire designed for this study. This instrument was subjected to validation by experts and reliability through a pilot test. The results showed that 52,29% of the dentists had a good and very good level of knowledge on the subject, between 99,08% and 100% presented a positive attitude concerning the prevention of infection, and considered that COVID-19 is a health risk and that it is necessary to provide recommendations on the subject. There was no relationship between knowledge and years of professional practice (p=0,352) nor between knowledge and work sector (p=0,086). It was concluded that most dentists had a good or very good knowledge of the subject. Likewise, almost all of them had a positive attitude towards preventing COVID-19 transmission. There was no relationship between knowledge and years of professional practice or work sector.

Resumen El objetivo de esta investigación fue determinar el nivel de conocimiento y actitud de los odontólogos de la región La Libertad (Perú) frente a la COVID-19. El estudio fue de tipo observacional, transversal y correlacional. El estudio incluyó un total de 218 odontólogos registrados en el Colegio Odontológico del Perú de la Región La Libertad. Para la selección de la muestra se usó el método aleatorio simple. El nivel de conocimiento y actitud fue evaluado a través de un cuestionario de nueve ítems realizado para esta investigación. Este instrumento fue sometido a validación por expertos y confiabilidad mediante una prueba piloto. Los resultados mostraron que el 52,29% de los odontólogos tuvieron nivel de conocimiento bueno y muy bueno sobre el tema, mientras que entre 99,08% y 100% presentaron una actitud positiva en relación con la prevención de la infección y consideraron que el COVID-19 es un riesgo para la salud; así como, que es necesario brindar recomendaciones sobre el tema. No hubo relación entre conocimiento y años de ejercicio profesional (p=0,352), tampoco entre conocimiento y sector laboral (p=0,086). Se concluye que la mayoría de los odontólogos tuvieron un nivel de conocimiento bueno y muy bueno sobre el tema. Asimismo, casi la totalidad presentaron una actitud positiva frente a la prevención de la transmisión de COVID-19. No hubo relación entre conocimiento y años de ejercicio profesional, tampoco con sector laboral.

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate the antibacterial effect of electrolytically generated hypochlorous acid on Streptococcus gordonii, Fusobacterium nucleatum, and Porphyromonas gingivalis. Material and Methods: In this in vitro experiment, the effect of hypochlorous acid (HOCl) on the strains S. gordonii, F. nucleatum, and P. gingivalis was evaluated using 4% sodium hypochlorite, 0.12% chlorhexidine, and distilled water as controls. The four groups were placed on each plate, and each group was replicated five times. The agar diffusion method by zones measurement was used. The data were processed with SPSS using the Kruskal-Wallis test and multiple comparison tests. Results: Hypochlorous acid showed an average inhibition halo of 9.28 mm on S. gordonii. As expected with distilled water, no zone of inhibition was noted for any of the bacteria, nor were zones of inhibition observed with HOCl for F. nucleatum and P. gingivalis. Conclusion: Hypochlorous acid showed antimicrobial properties against only S. gordonii and was less effective than 4% sodium hypochlorite and 0.12% chlorhexidine, although no significant differences were found between the latter.