Other
Kayla Moller, DDS (she/her/hers)
Pediatric Dental Resident
University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago IL
University of Illinois Chicago
Chicago, Illinois, United States
Charles W. Lehew, PhD
University of Illinois Chicago
Evelina Kratunova, MDS, MFD, D.Ch.Dent, FFD
University of Illinois at Chicago
Flavia Lamberghini, DDS, MS, MPH
UIC Clinical Associate Professor
Title (Optional)
University of Illinois at Chicago, Department of Pediatric Dentistry
CHICAGO, Illinois, United States
Fernando D. Testai, MD, PhD
University of Illinois Chicago
Flavia Lamberghini, DDS, MS, MPH
UIC Clinical Associate Professor
Title (Optional)
University of Illinois at Chicago, Department of Pediatric Dentistry
CHICAGO, Illinois, United States
Brittaney J. Hill, DDS, MS, MPH
Program Director
University of Illinois Chicago College of Dentistry
University of Illinois at Chicago
Chicago, Illinois, United States
Purpose: The aim of this retrospective cohort study is to assess the differences between patients seen at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic (COVID) with age and gender matched control patients (controls) one year prior and compare caries index (dmft/DMFT), loss to follow up and time to first recall.
Methods: A retrospective chart review of new patients seen at a UIC affiliated clinic 3/1-14/20. Age and gender matched controls seen 3/1-31/19 were assessed. Inclusion criteria: patients < 18, medically healthy, new to clinic. Assessed baseline dmft/DMFT, time (weeks) to first recall, and recall dmft/DMFT.
Results: A total of 256 patients in each group were analyzed. Mean age 5.36 (SD=3.448); Female = 48.1%. There is significantly higher recall failure (COVID=90; Control=68; P=.038) and longer median lapsed time between initial and recall visits (COVID=42; Control=31; P < .001) for the COVID group than the control group. The dmft and DMFT for each group increased from initial to recall [COVID: baseline dmft=4.48 (4.094; Recall dmft=5.55(4.768); P < .001; Baseline DMFT=0.41(1.417); Recall DMFT=0.42(1.277); P<.001][Control: baseline dmft= 4.21(4.055); Recall dmft: COVID=4.49(4.242); P < .001; Baseline DMFT=0.44(1.354); Recall DMFT= 0.53(1.409; P<.001]. The change in mean dmft and DMFT between the COVID and control group was significantly higher in the COVID group (P < .001; P=.042).
Conclusions: Patients seen during the pandemic time frame were loss to follow up (lacked recalls) at higher rates, had delayed recalls and had a higher caries experience (dmft) compared with patients seen one year prior to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic negatively impacted pediatric oral health parameters.