LAUSR

Aim: The COVID-19 pandemic, the first registered in the last 100 years, triggered fear and uncertainty, with manifestations related to stress, anxiety, and depression, mainly in health professionals. The study aimed to evaluate the psychological impact of the community quarantine, implemented due to the COVID-19 pandemic, in pediatric dentists and pediatric dentistry graduate students in Latin America. Materials and Methods: Convenience sample made up of 139 pediatric dentists and postgraduate pediatric dentistry students from different Latin American countries, who were asked to fill out a questionnaire, submitted electronically, with prior authorization of participation through an informed consent. The anonymity of the participants was protected using identification codes, and only their email address was requested for subsequent follow-up. Results: The multivariate model shows an association between the value of the PSS-14 v25 questionnaire and the different study variables; thus, the variables—quality of sleep (P ≤ 0.001), number of biosafety measures (P≤0.02), age (P = 0.04), and perception of their state of health (P = 0.03)—were statistically significant in the perceived stress and subjective well-being, caused by COVID-19 lockdown. In the same way, in the most representative demographic variables related to the affective and social support perceived by the participant, it was observed that, with increasing age, there is a decrease in perceived affective support and, consequently, in participants with mandatory quarantine and time restriction; there is a perception of not having emotional support. Conclusion: The disease caused by COVID-19 has modified the habits and quality of life of all professionals in the health field. The psychological impact that the community quarantine implemented due to the COVID-19 pandemic has produced is evident, as older and female individuals more frequently present signs of stress and anxiety, manifested by fear and uncertainty.