Program Director NYU Langone - Tucson, AZ Tucson, Arizona, United States
Purpose: This study aimed to understand the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on utilization of emergency dental visitsamong pediatric patients ages 0-13 years old,over a 6-month period, pre-pandemic and post-pandemic.Findings were evaluated in comparison to periodic exam visits and extractions.
Methods: A chart review of electronic dental health records at El Rio Community Health Centerwas completed using adatabasesearching dental procedure codes D0140, D7140 and D0120. A total of 10194 charts were collected and used for statistical and bivariate analysis. Results: The average age of pediatric patients was 7.26 years old, with age difference pre-and post-Covid statistically significant (P < 0.001). 48.6% participants were female, while 51.4% were male. Gender difference was not statistically significant (P=0.06).The number of limited oral evaluations(D0140) and extractions (D7140)increased post-Covid from 12.1% to 13.7% for D0140 and 14.7% to 17.8% for D7140. Periodic exams (D0120) decreased post-Covid from 73.2% to 68.6%. A P value of < 0.001 for extraction code D7140 was significantly significant.
Conclusion: Dental care related to limited, emergencyvisits amongpediatric patients at El Rio Community Health Center increased in the timeframe following the Covid-19 closure.