Abstract
This study aimed to describe patients’ demographic characteristics and treatment delivered in private and public dental emergency clinics and to compare them with a pre-pandemic period. A retrospective cross-sectional study was carried out on patients attending the University Dental Hospital of the University of Buenos Aires and on one private dental clinic, situated in Buenos Aires, between March and June of 2019 and 2020. The sample considered all the patients’ medical records of those requiring emergency dental treatment at these centers during that period. We systematize the treatments required and delivered by the emergency providers into categories. In 2019, 36,071 patients were treated at the university dental hospital and the private clinic. In 2020, 7485 patients received emergency treatment, showing a fivefold reduction. During a pre-pandemic period, in 2019, both oral care centers provided 44,894 treatments, around three times the treatments provided in 2020 during the same period. We have found significant differences in the age groups of people who required emergency treatment in the pandemic period compared to the pre-pandemic period. During the pandemic period, the most represented types of treatment were radiographic exams (3061) and tooth extractions (2583). Conversely, during the pre-pandemic period, the most frequent treatments were radiographic examinations (16,649) and general consultations (10,591). The percentages of all types of treatments differ significantly between the two years except for pediatric consultations and prosthetics emergencies. As the pandemic is still an ongoing sanitary problem, urgent dental care patterns should be considered.
Highlights
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic was first reported in HubeiProvince, China, in December 2019 [1]
Governmental authorities implemented multiple public health tools and interventions to minimize morbidity and mortality related to COVID-19, including extreme public health measures, such as lockdowns and stay-at-home mandates, that were initially critical to flattening the curve [3]
The sample considered all the medical records prepared for the patients who attended during that period for dental emergency issues
Summary
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic was first reported in Hubei. China, in December 2019 [1]. On January 22, an epidemiological alert was issued in Argentina, and surveillance of the event began. Surveillance System in Health (SNVS 2.0), the first confirmed case was reported in the Buenos Aires Metropolitan Area [2]. Governmental authorities implemented multiple public health tools and interventions to minimize morbidity and mortality related to COVID-19, including extreme public health measures, such as lockdowns and stay-at-home mandates, that were initially critical to flattening the curve [3]. Argentina has adopted varied social-distancing preventive interventions and related socio-economic decisions since 10 March 2020 [4].
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More From: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
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