Shah SA, Feng ZC, Ziccardi VB. Impact of COVID-19 on emergency oral health care in New Jersey.
J Am Dent Assoc 2024;
155:204-212. [PMID:
38069962 DOI:
10.1016/j.adaj.2023.11.002]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2023] [Revised: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 11/05/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2024]
Abstract
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.
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