IADR Abstract Archives
COVID-19 Effect on Pediatric Dentistry General Anesthesia Candidates
Objectives: To examine the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the dental status and habits of children who are candidates for dental treatment under general anaesthesia (GA).
Methods: This prospective, cross-sectional study was conducted during the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in Israel (March-April 2020). A link to an online survey was distributed via short message service (SMS) and was completed by 79 parents. The questionnaire was designed for parents of children who were candidates for dental treatments under GA at the Unit of Pediatric Dentistry at the Galilee Medical Center in Nahariya, Israel. It included questions about the children’s oral hygiene habits, dental symptoms, behavioral changes and psychological condition as perceived by their parents.
Results: During COVID-19, poor emotional state of children who were candidates for dental treatment under GA positively correlated with deterioration in oral hygiene (p=0.032). Moreover, poor emotional state was associated with higher frequency of dental pain while eating (p=0.002) as well as spontaneous dental pain (p=0.001) among these children.
Conclusions: During national emergencies, such as the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak in Israel, continued provision of dental services, including treatments under GA, should take top priority due to the risk of deterioration of the dental condition and oral hygiene of children who are candidates for dental treatment under GA. At the same time, dental healthcare providers should make every effort to educate both children and parents about oral health, through platforms such as online prevention programs and teledentistry.
Methods: This prospective, cross-sectional study was conducted during the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in Israel (March-April 2020). A link to an online survey was distributed via short message service (SMS) and was completed by 79 parents. The questionnaire was designed for parents of children who were candidates for dental treatments under GA at the Unit of Pediatric Dentistry at the Galilee Medical Center in Nahariya, Israel. It included questions about the children’s oral hygiene habits, dental symptoms, behavioral changes and psychological condition as perceived by their parents.
Results: During COVID-19, poor emotional state of children who were candidates for dental treatment under GA positively correlated with deterioration in oral hygiene (p=0.032). Moreover, poor emotional state was associated with higher frequency of dental pain while eating (p=0.002) as well as spontaneous dental pain (p=0.001) among these children.
Conclusions: During national emergencies, such as the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak in Israel, continued provision of dental services, including treatments under GA, should take top priority due to the risk of deterioration of the dental condition and oral hygiene of children who are candidates for dental treatment under GA. At the same time, dental healthcare providers should make every effort to educate both children and parents about oral health, through platforms such as online prevention programs and teledentistry.