Aim: according to the WHO and United Nations, the CO- VID-19 pandemic brought a range of additional barriers for pe- ople with disabilities, who constitute approximately 15% of the world population, including access to dental treatments. The aim of this retrospective study is to report changes in dental care for patients with disabilities before (year 2019) and during the COVID-19 pandemic (year 2020). Methods: the study included patients with disabilities referred at the Gorizia-Monfalcone Dental Unit, who were treated in ou- tpatient mode or general anesthesia during the years 2019 and 2020. Demographic and clinical characteristics, as well as the type of treatments provided were recorded. Statistical analysis was performed employing Mann-Whitney U test and Fischer’s exact test. Results: the total number of patients with disabilities referred before and during pandemic was similar (129 patients in 2019, 131 in 2020), while the total number of treatments performed decreased in 2020 (1140 versus 820). Mean age of patients was significantly lower in 2020 (p < 0.0001). Results show a signifi- cant increase in the number of outpatient therapies compared to general anesthesia (p = 0.0427). There was also a significant change (p = 0,0480) in the proportion of different types of thera- pies (conservative, endodontic, surgery, dental hygiene). Conclusions: the COVID-19 pandemic had a significant im- pact on oral treatments in patients with disabilities. There was a higher proportion of interventions performed in outpatient mode, and a higher frequency of surgical treatments compa- red to conservative ones.
THE IMPACT OF COVID-19 PANDEMIC ON DENTAL CARE OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
Angerame D.Project Administration
;Rupel K.Membro del Collaboration Group
;Maglione M.Supervision
2022-01-01
Abstract
Aim: according to the WHO and United Nations, the CO- VID-19 pandemic brought a range of additional barriers for pe- ople with disabilities, who constitute approximately 15% of the world population, including access to dental treatments. The aim of this retrospective study is to report changes in dental care for patients with disabilities before (year 2019) and during the COVID-19 pandemic (year 2020). Methods: the study included patients with disabilities referred at the Gorizia-Monfalcone Dental Unit, who were treated in ou- tpatient mode or general anesthesia during the years 2019 and 2020. Demographic and clinical characteristics, as well as the type of treatments provided were recorded. Statistical analysis was performed employing Mann-Whitney U test and Fischer’s exact test. Results: the total number of patients with disabilities referred before and during pandemic was similar (129 patients in 2019, 131 in 2020), while the total number of treatments performed decreased in 2020 (1140 versus 820). Mean age of patients was significantly lower in 2020 (p < 0.0001). Results show a signifi- cant increase in the number of outpatient therapies compared to general anesthesia (p = 0.0427). There was also a significant change (p = 0,0480) in the proportion of different types of thera- pies (conservative, endodontic, surgery, dental hygiene). Conclusions: the COVID-19 pandemic had a significant im- pact on oral treatments in patients with disabilities. There was a higher proportion of interventions performed in outpatient mode, and a higher frequency of surgical treatments compa- red to conservative ones.Pubblicazioni consigliate
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