Caries
Ann Simon, DDS (she/her/hers)
Pediatric Dental Resident, PGY-2
University of Texas —San Antonio, San Antonio, TX
University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
San Antonio, Texas, United States
Sandra C. Perez, DDS
University of Texas Health Science Center - San Antonio
Kevin J. Donly, DDS, MS
Program Chair of the Department of Developmental Dentistry at UT Health San Antonio
University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio
San Antonio, Texas, United States
Maria Jose Cervantes Mendez, DDS
Postdoctoral Program Director in Pediatric Dentistry
Univeristy of Texas Health Science Center - San Antonio
SAN ANTONIO, Texas, United States
Purpose: This study aimed to compare the efficacy of the Texas Medicaid First Dental Home (FDH) and if there was a change in treatment modality once the pandemic began.
Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted from 3 UT Health pediatric dental clinics using the AxiUm software for the CDT code D0145. All patients seen for FDH visits between March 1, 2019 and February 28, 2021 were included. Age at first visit, recall, changes in caries risk status, and treatment modality for those requiring treatment prior to COVID-19 pandemic and start of COVID-19 were evaluated.
Results: Six hundred and twenty-one charts were reviewed. Average age (months) of initial FDH visits pre COVID-19 versus COVID-19 were 19.3 and 18.9, respectively. Average FDH visits/year pre-COVID-19 versus COVID-19 were similar (1.8 vs. 1.6 respectively). Caries-free status between both periods remained similar (89% vs. 90%). 81% of pre-COVID-19 patients requiring restorative treatment were treated in-office with oral conscious sedation (14%) or nitrous oxide/ behavior management (67%). The remaining 19% patients pre COVID-19 were taken to the operating room for full mouth dental rehabilitation. 95% of patients post COVID-19 onset requiring restorative treatment were treated in-office with oral conscious sedation (9%) or nitrous oxide/behavior management (86%). The remaining 5% were taken to the operating room for full mouth dental rehabilitation.
Conclusions: Although recall compliance, age of first visit, and changes in caries risk remained similar, the number of patients taken to the operating room during the pandemic greatly reduced and the number of patients seen in-office increased.