Dental Patients’ Perspective on COVID-19: A Systematic Review

Abstract

The COVID-19 epidemic has changed patients’ approach to dental treatments. While dentists worldwide have shown an excellent level of adaptability to face the new challenges presented by the unprecedented situation due to the rapid spread of COVID-19, dental patients have witnessed a sudden suspension of elective treatments and a slow resumption of dental care activities after several national lockdowns. In addition, the general climate of anxiety and fear due to the high COVID-19 risk and the high level of mortality has influenced the perception and attitudes of people towards dental activity, inducing many dental patients to avoid appointments to the dentist if not highly urgent. We present an overview of the current state of knowledge about dental patients’ perception, perspective, attitude, and expectations towards a full resumption of regular dental treatments.

Patient Concerns and Anxiety Regarding Orthodontic Treatment and appointments during COVID-19 Pandemic

“…Males were more perturbed by the delay in service than women in dental treatments and impaired final results due to COVID-19 restrictions. These results were similar to the Salgarello et al 20 who found that males were more likely than females to attend a dentist visit and were more concerned about the length of time that would elapse owing to COVID-19 constraints. This was reinforced by the results of Peloso et al 21 study, where females reported to be males are more concerned about dental treatment delays than women.…”

Increased demand for orthodontic treatments during the COVID-19 pandemic: a commentary

“…Proffit groups adult patients into the categories of younger (18)(19)(20)(21)(22)(23)(24)(25)(26)(27)(28)(29)(30)(31)(32)(33)(34) and older. As they achieve financial independence, adult patients seek the orthodontic treatment they wish they had growing up.…”

“…Moreover, since the nature of dentistry necessitates close proximity to tissues associated with high viral loads and a considerable generation of aerosols, 21 dental practitioners in many regions worldwide were not allowed to conduct elective, non-emergency treatments. 22 Treatments more likely to take place in clinics were those associated with less chair time, fewer treatments requiring high-speed turbine preparations and less production of droplets and aerosols. Thus, when COVID-19 took hold, the norms shifted towards treatment that is more compatible with orthodontics.…”

Dentists' lived experience of providing dental care during the COVID-19 pandemic: A qualitative study in Mashhad, Iran

“…A survey done in Poland found that a lack of advanced personal protective equipment (PPE) and poor coordination of health services related to the pandemic, and a deficit of PPE were to blame for dental professionals' fear and a drop in the number of dental procedures (9). In another study, increased treatment costs due to the increased use of protective measures resulted in lower patient attendance (10).…”