Impact of COVID-19 on Dentistry

Long-Term Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Dental Care Delivery in Poland: A Single-Center Retrospective Analysis

INTRODUCTION AND AIMS

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted healthcare systems, including dentistry. This retrospective analysis aims to evaluate long-term changes in the spectrum of performed dental procedures due to the COVID-19 pandemic based on the example of the university specialized centre in Poznan.

METHODS

We explored the patient dataset from the University Center of Dentistry and Specialized Medicine (Poznan, Poland) covering the period from 1 January 2017 to 31 December 2023. Services performed during the prepandemic (2017-2019), pandemic (2020), and postpandemic (2021-2023) periods were compared. Selected procedures in restorative dentistry, endodontics, dental surgery, and dental radiology were analyzed in detail, including data for both children and adults.

RESULTS

Our study analyzed a total of 342,112 patient medical records, including 158,882 conservative procedures and 101,556 surgical procedures. During the pandemic, there was a significant reduction in conservative procedures, particularly commercial services. In the postpandemic period, the number of refunded restorations and endodontic treatments for anterior teeth increased significantly, which was not observed for commercial procedures. A notable disruption between surgical and conservative procedures occurred during the first wave of the pandemic. The prepandemic period and the first quarter of the year were more conducive to conservative and endodontic treatments.

CONCLUSION

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a significant long-term shift from preventive and conservative dentistry into surgical interventions. Although the overall number of services provided has increased, more patients are opting for procedures that do not require out-of-pocket expenses.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

The pandemic has a lasting impact on the clinical decisions made by dental patients, with a greater preference for reimbursed and surgical services.

Challenges and resilience of Taiwan's oral health care system after Covid-19 pandemic

This paper examines the resilience of Taiwan's oral healthcare system in response to COVID-19, focusing on pre-pandemic conditions, pandemic impacts, and policy recommendations for future resilience. In Taiwan, oral diseases were prevalent, with 80.48% of adults affected by periodontitis in 2016, and 65.43% of 5-year-old children experiencing dental caries. Taiwan's National Health Insurance (NHI) covers over 99% of the population, providing comprehensive dental care. The global budget (GB) payment system, implemented in 1998, ensured financial stability. During the pandemic, dental visits in Taiwan decreased by 5.1% in 2021 compared to 2019. Despite reduced visits, the GB system maintained financial stability, mitigating financial impacts on healthcare institutions. The pandemic generally negatively affected healthcare workers' well-being, increasing resignation intentions. However, the number of practicing dentists in Taiwan remained stable from 2016 to 2022, with slight increases. Urban-rural disparities persisted, and workplace transitions increased, indicating greater mobility among dental professionals. To enhance resilience, the following recommendations are proposed: 1. Strengthen hierarchy of oral healthcare system: Balance dental resources across regions, and improve referrals between hospital and clinics; 2. Provide integrated patient-centered care: Integrate oral health into disease prevention and offer comprehensive services across all stages of life; 3. Integrate digital technology: Promote teledentistry and leverage Taiwan's strengths in information and communication technology (ICT).

Impact of COVID-19 on emergency oral health care in New Jersey

BACKGROUND

The COVID-19 pandemic led to reduced services of private dental practices. The public emergency clinic of Rutgers School of Dental Medicine (RSDM) (Newark, NJ) faced changing demands during various periods of the pandemic.

METHODS

Records of patients visiting the emergency clinic at RSDM during 3 distinct periods (prelockdown, lockdown, teledentistry) from January 10, 2020, through June 30, 2020, were retrospectively reviewed. Qualitative and quantitative attributes pertaining to patient encounters were reviewed and analyzed.

RESULTS

A total of 1,799 records were included in this study. Patient visits increased during the early lockdown but were reduced after the implementation of teledentistry. Trends were noted in patient volume, reasons for visits, treatment needs, symptoms, diagnostic methodology, prescription use, and final disposition of patients.

CONCLUSIONS

The lockdown affected emergency dental clinic services at RSDM. Teledentistry visits played a key role in screening patients and in facilitating the delivery of oral health care and timely follow-ups to patients who needed urgent in-person emergency visits.

PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS

Data gathered will lead to a better understanding of patients seen in the emergency clinic and can help with long-term planning for both institutional and smaller outpatient clinics during public health emergencies.