Impact of social isolation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic on pediatric dentistry appointments
a systematic review and meta-analysis
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.35699/2178-1990.2022.39551Keywords:
COVID-19, Pandemics, Social isolation, Quarantine, Appointments and schedules, ChildAbstract
Aim: To evaluate studies that showed the impact of social isolation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic on pediatric dentistry appointments.
Methods: This work included original studies that have evaluated the impact of social isolation in children’s and adolescents’ appointments with a pediatric dentist. Searches were conducted in Web of Science, Scopus, Embase, and PubMed databases. Study selection was carried out by two authors. Risk of bias was assessed using the University of Adelaide scale. Results of meta-analyses were provided in odds ratio (OR) and confidence interval (CI).
Results: Our study evaluated 794 references, of which four studies were included. The proportion of dental appointments performed in 2019 (before the pandemic) for restorative treatment (OR = 22.65; CI = 20.57–24.93), tooth extraction (OR = 15.96; CI = 14.78–17.23), and endodontic treatment (OR = 9.21; CI = 7.72–10.98) was significantly higher than the proportion of dental appointments performed in 2020 (after the onset of the pandemic). The proportion of parents/guardians who would not take their children to an appointment with a pediatric dentist was significantly higher among individuals who were more afrais during the pandemic (score 6 to 10) than among individuals who were less afraid during the pandemic (score 0 to 5) (OR = 8.41; CI = 5.06–13.98). The proportion of parents/guardians who would not take their children to an appointment with a pediatric dentist in regions with more than 100 cases of COVID-19 was significantly higher than in regions with up to 100 cases (OR = 2,45; CI = 1.55–3.88). Risk of bias assessment ranged from low to high. A limitation of this review was the restricted number of included studies.
Conclusion: Social isolation caused a decline in the number of appointments with a pediatric dentist due to parents’ insecurity about taking their children to the dental office. These results are important for both dental clinicians and healthcare decision-makers.
References
who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-2019/advice-for-public [Internet]. New York: Organização Mundial da Saúde [updated 2019; cited 2021 Feb 22]. Available from: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public
The Lancet Respiratory Medicine. COVID-19 transmission-up in the air. Lancet Respir Med. 2020;8(12):1159.
Hwang TJ, Rabheru K, Peisah C, Reichman W, Ikeda M. Loneliness and social isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic. Int Psychogeriatr. 2020;32(10):1217-20.
Loades ME, Chatburn E, Higson-Sweeney N, Reynolds S, Shafran R, Brigden A, et al. Rapid systematic review: The impact of social isolation and loneliness on the mental health of children and adolescents in the context of COVID-19. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatr. 2020;59(11):1218-39.e3.
Zhang YN, Chen Y, Wang Y, Li F, Pender M, Wang N, et al. Reduction in healthcare services during the COVID-19 pandemic in China. BMJ Glob Health. 2020;5(11):e003421.
Ahmadi H, Ebrahimi A, Ghorbani F. The impact of COVID-19 pandemic on dental practice in Iran: a questionnaire-based report. BMC Oral Health. 2020;20:354.
De Dea BE, Ramos GO, Dellanora LMF, Montalli VAM, Duarte DA. The impact of COVID-19 on the pediatric dentistry clinic: an integrative review. Contemp Pediatr Dent. 2020;1(1):2-12.
Faggion CM Jr. The development of evidence-based guidelines in dentistry. J Dent Educ. 2013;77(2):124-36.
Page MJ, McKenzie JE, Bossuyt PM, Boutron I, Hoffmann TC, Mulrow CD, et al. The PRISMA 2020 statement: an updated guideline for reporting systematic reviews. Rev Esp Cardiol (Engl Ed). 2021;74:790-9.
Aromataris E, Munn Z (Editors). JBI Manual for Evidence Synthesis. JBI, 2020. Available from: https://synthesismanual.jbi.global
Campagnaro R, Collet GO, Andrade MP, Salles JPDSL, Calvo Fracasso ML, Scheffel DLS, et al. COVID-19 pandemic and pediatric dentistry: Fear, eating habits and parent’s oral health perceptions. Child Youth Serv Rev. 2020;118:105469.
Hopcraft M, Farmer G. Impact of COVID-19 on the provision of paediatric dental care: Analysis of the Australian Child Dental Benefits Schedule. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol. 2021;49(4):369-76.
Chisini LA, Costa FDS, Sartori LRM, Corrêa MB, D’Avila OP, Demarco FF. COVID-19 Pandemic impact on Brazil’s Public Dental System. Braz Oral Res. 2021;35:e082.
Üstün N, Akgöl BB, Bayram M. Influence of COVID-19 pandemic on paediatric dental attendance. Clin Oral Investig. 2021;25:6185-91.
Torabinia N, Nilchian F, Razavi SM. Dental team and infection control for the COVID-19: (A short review of the current guidelines). Dent Res J (Isfahan). 2020;17(6):409-11.
Arruda JAA, Silva TA, Mesquita RA, Abreu LG. The double-edged sword of SARS-CoV-2 vs. market economy: a perspective of Brazilian dental providers. J Stomatol Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2021;122(3):327-8.
Gurgel BCV, Borges SB, Borges REA, Calderon PDS. COVID-19: Perspectives for the management of dental care and education. J Appl Oral Sci. 2020;28:e20200358.
Zheng R, Xu Y, Wang W, Ning G, Bi Y. Spatial transmission of COVID-19 via public and private transportation in China. Travel Med Infect Dis. 2020;34:101626.
Pereira LJ, Murata RM, Pardi V, Mattos FF. Streamlining the dental care during COVID-19 pandemic: updated clinical recommendations and infection control management framework. Braz Oral Res. 2021;35:e046.
Kitchener E, Fox M, Johansson M, Lang E, Duggan A, Scott I, et al. Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on utilisation of healthcare services: a systematic review. BMJ Open. 2021;11:e045343.
Blumenthal D, Fowler EJ, Abrams M, Collins SR. Covid-19 - Implications for the Health Care System. N Engl J Med. 2020;383:1483-8.
Martins AMEBL, Ferreira AC, Nicolau LCS, Lima PXV, Maia MN, Silva LF. Sampling of oral conditions survey during COVID-19 pandemic: methodologic study. Res, Soc Dev. 2022;11(1):e961112489.
