Pinch of Prevention in Pounds of Troubles: Utilization of Preventive Oral Health Care Services by High-Risk Children and Other Target Groups Amidst Covid- 19 Milieu

 

Abstract

Introduction: COVID-19 global pandemic caused suspension of routine and preventive dental treatment whilst prioritizing emergency care. Preventive oral health care services contribute to oral health improvements among high-risk children and pregnant women. We, therefore, aim to investigate the impact of COVID-19 on utilization of preventive oral health care services targeted for high-risk groups provided by a premier tertiary care public dental hospital in Sri Lanka.
Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study on performance statistics of the Preventive Oral Health Unit of National Dental Hospital (Teaching) Sri Lanka was conducted for the periods from 1st January to 30th November 2020, pertaining to pre-COVID- 19 period (baseline), 1st Wave of COVID-19, transition period and on-going second wave. Comparisons were done on mean numbers of selected preventive treatment episodes performed and risk groups attended using independent sample t-test, one-way ANOVA and Kruskal-Walli’s test. Relative contributions of emergency visits for total visits were assessed for the given period. Data were entered and analysed by using SPSS-21 statistical package.
Results: Significant declines was evident in preventive dental care episodes provided for high-risk toddlers and pregnant mothers during the first and on-going second waves of COVID-19 compared to pre-COVID- 19 and transition periods(p<0.05). In contrast, substantial increases detected in relative contribution of emergency visits for total number of visits among children for symptomatic dento-alveloar infections during two waves of COVID-19 compared to pre-COVID- 19 and transition periods.
Conclusions: COVID-19 has negatively impacted on preventive oral health care service utilization by high-risk groups, whilst raising the proportion of emergency visits due to aggravated dental diseases. Providing preventive care becomes essential to reduce the burden of aggravated late sequel of dental caries among high risk children. Novel models of preventive oral health care services for high-risk low socio-economic groups could be a way-forward in COVID-19 milieu.

Keywords: Preventive Oral Health Care; high risk groups; low socio-economic groups; COVID-19; emergency visits; Sri Lanka

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