331 - Utilization of pediatric emergency dental care pre/post COVID-19 pandemic

Friday, May 26, 2023

4:40 PM – 4:55 PM

Location: Exhibit Hall

Has Audio

Presenting Author(s)

Brooke Sabia, DMD

Pediatric Dental Resident, PGY-2
NYU Langone - Tucson, AZ
NYU Langone Health
Marana, Arizona, United States

Program Director(s)

AP

Amanda Pinder, DDS, MS

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 visits among 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 Center was completed using a database searching 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, emergency visits among pediatric patients at El Rio Community Health Center increased in the timeframe following the Covid-19 closure.