Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the implications of the COVID-19 pandemic on the lives of dentists in the municipal health network of Manaus. METHODS: A cross-sectional, descriptive, and exploratory study with a quantitative and qualitative approach. Between April and July 2022, an online questionnaire with closed and open questions was applied to dentists. The study included 81 professionals. The collected data were stored in a Microsoft Excel 2007 spreadsheet, generated by Google forms. For categorical data, absolute and relative frequencies were obtained. Content analysis, aided by Atlas ti software, Version 22, was used for textual analysis. RESULTS: The COVID-19 pandemic represented a constant source of stress and fear for dentists, negatively affecting their mental health. CONCLUSIONS: In view of the above, the Unified Health System (SUS) needs to implement effective measures to protect and promote the mental health of its workers, such as offering specialized psychological support, promoting awareness campaigns on mental health risks, and creating support groups for professionals.