Dental Treatments During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Three Hospitals in Jordan: Retrospective Study

Abstract

Background Cases of COVID-19 first emerged in December 2019. Since then, the virus has spread rapidly worldwide, with daily increases in the numbers of infections and deaths. COVID-19 spreads via airborne transmission, which renders dental treatment a potential source of virus transmission. Dental treatments require the use of handpieces, ultrasonic devices, or air–water syringes, which generate considerable amounts of aerosols. Jordan, being one of the affected countries, instituted preventive lockdown measures on March 17, 2020. Emergency dental treatments were only allowed in dental clinics of the Royal Medical Services of Jordan Armed Forces and Ministry of Health, and were prohibited in other sectors such as private clinics and universities. Objective The aim of this study is to investigate the dental treatments performed in three military hospitals during the 44-day lockdown period in Jordan. The investigation explores the impact of COVID-19 on the number of patients and types of performed dental treatments. Methods Data such as number of patients, patients’ age and gender, and performed dental treatments were collected retrospectively from the hospital records and were analyzed. Results Our results showed a 90% (17,591 to 1689) decrease in patient visits during the lockdown period compared to regular days. The total number of treatments (n=1689) during the lockdown period varied between endodontic cases (n=877, 51.9%), extraction and other surgical cases (n=374, 22.1%), restorative cases (n=142, 8.4%), orthodontic treatments (n=4, 0.2%), and other procedures (n=292, 17.3%). The differences in gender and age group among all clinics were statistically significant (P<.001 and P=.02, respectively). Conclusions The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant effect on the number of patients seeking dental treatments. It also affected the types of treatments performed. Endodontic treatment accounted for almost 50% of patient load during the lockdown compared to approximately 20% during regular days.

Provision of Endodontic Treatment in Dentistry amid COVID-19: A Systematic Review and Clinical Recommendations

“…Aerosol and nonaerosol-generating procedures were carried out [38]. In another study by Obeidat in Jordan, they reported a ninety percent reduction in outpatient flow and mostly the patients who showed up were having endodontic cases (51.9%) [39]. Similar findings were noted during the Ebola virus outbreak when the dental procedures were restricted to emergency dental care only [40].…”

Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on using dental radiography

“…Intraoral radiography was the most used radiographic technique before the COVID-19 pandemic [10][11][12][13][14] because it has a lower radiation dose and higher image quality than panoramic radiography. It continues to be superior to other radiographic methods in the diagnosis of proximal caries and endodontic treatment planning.…”

Awareness and Practice of Infection Control Protocol Amid Covid-19 Pandemic in Private Dental Clinics in Saudi Arabia

“…It is necessary to unify the standards for all dental health care units in the national territory in challenging times [30]. Endodontic treatment accounted for almost 50% of patient load during the lockdown, for Covid-19 pandemic, compared to approximately 20% during regular days [31]. Dental professionals seem to be consistent regarding their knowledge of the incubation period of SARS-CoV-2 [32].…”