Other
Joshua Orgill, DDS, MS
Resident
University of Florida —Gainesville and Naples, Naples, FL
The University of Florida
Naples, Florida, United States
Maria Davila de Gonzalez, DDS, MPH, DrPH
University of Florida
Susan Gorman, RDH, M ed.
University of Florida
Lauren Governale, DMD, MPH
Clinical Program Director
University of Florida
Naples, Florida, United States
Lauren Governale, DMD, MPH
Clinical Program Director
University of Florida
Naples, Florida, United States
Abimbola O. Adewumi, BDS, FDSRCS
Program Director
University of Florida
Gainesville, Florida, United States
Purpose: To compare the prevalence of urgent dental needs (UDN) of 3rd grade students in Collier County Florida before the COVID pandemic (school year 2019-2020) and after the COVID pandemic (school year 2021-2022) and to compare the completion of treatment of the UDN in the same population before and after the COVID pandemic.
Methods: A chart review of the University of Florida Outreach Screening Program where dental hygienists and pediatric dental residents annually monitor the oral health of third grade students through dental screenings in 36 elementary schools using the Basic Screening Survey (BSS) by the Association of State and Territorial Dental Directors (ASTDD). The criteria for UDN include large, decayed area(s) with or without signs or symptoms of pain, infection, or swelling with a recommendation that the student be seen immediately for treatment. Parents of students with UDN are notified by mail and by phone the same day. Parents are contacted by phone 3 months after the screening and again at the end of the school year to determine treatment status.
Results: The prevalence of UDN for the before the COVID pandemic was 7% compared to 14% after the COVID pandemic. The treatment status before the COVID pandemic was 10% completed, 36.6% in progress, 53.4% no treatment/unknown. The treatment status after the COVID pandemic was 4% completed, 27.2% in progress, 68.7% no treatment/unknown.
Conclusions: The COVID pandemic negatively impacted 3rd grade students’ dental health with a 120% increase in prevalence of UDN and a 60% decrease in treatment completion.