Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the timing of dental care in Peruvian children

Abstract

Background. Due to the high transmissibility of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which causes coronavirus disease 2019 , governments adopted preventive measures, such as social distancing and obligatory social immobilization, which negatively affected access to health services, including oral health services. Similarly, dental care restraint arose in this context, with the aim of reducing the possibility of cross-infection caused by aerosols, which notably restricted dental care activity.Objectives. The aim of the study was to determine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the timing of dental care in Peruvian children. Material and methods.A cross-sectional study with a population of 42,115 respondents for 2019 and 20,510 for 2020 was conducted. The participants were children aged 0-11 years. The records of those who responded to the question on the time since their last dental care were considered, extracting a total of 22,166 (69.03%) subjects for 2019 and 9,945 (30.97%) subjects for 2020. The dependent variable consisted of the time since the last dental care measured in years; the variables of health, geographic and sociodemographic characteristics were grouped within 3 dimensions. Descriptive bivariate and multivariate analyses were applied by means of multiple linear regression in order to analyze the variables.Results. The time since the last dental care during 2019 was 5.25 ±4.30 years, and it increased to 6.64 ±4.90 years in 2020. Within the multivariate analysis, the dimensions and their variables were ordered hierarchically for 2019 and 2020 separately, and as a whole. Each model was not significant when observed independently (p > 0.05); however, when evaluated as a whole, validity was observed only in model 1 of the year (p = 0.018), with R 2 = 2.90, a constant equal to 3.852, the non-standardized regression coefficient (β) of 1.653, and a 95% confidence interval (CI) of 0.289-3.018. Conclusions.The 2020 COVID-19 pandemic year had a negative impact on the timing of dental care in Peruvian children, increasing it by 1.39 years as compared to 2019.

Toothbrushing and Access to Dental Services in Peruvian Children

“…The scientific evidence developed from health emergency reports that the time since the last dental care in Peruvian children would have increased by 1.39 years, indicating that this dilation in the search for timely care would be associated with the year of the pandemic, noting that in previous years, variables such as place of dental care, natural region of residence and age already showed significant differences, but the year itself denotes greater relevance. 25 Regarding toothbrushing, it was observed that the pandemic harmed its daily practice at least twice daily, which could be explained by the complex context faced by the country due to multiple measures to contain contagions that impacted the economy and social habits of Peruvian households, so that more pressing aspects may have been prioritized, rather than a preventive habit; similarly, it was found that factors such as geographic region, area and place of residence, altitude, health insurance coverage, economic level, age, and sex were associated with brushing. 26 Among the limitations of this research is the use of secondary information sources such as the ENDES survey, where the information collected could present inaccuracies due to self-reporting.…”

Time elapsed since peruvian children’s last dental care and head of household educational attainment: findings from a national database

“…During this health emergency, the use of non-COVID-19 health services has declined across the board, especially in low- and middle-income countries [ 22 ]. From a dental perspective, access to these services has also been impaired, compromising the timely utilization of oral health services in Peruvian children [ 23 ].…”

Geographical barriers to the use of toothpaste containing ≥1000 ppm fluoride in peruvian children

“…Finally, the results presented are before the coronavirus disease pandemic (COVID-19), which may have varied due to the impact that the pandemic has had on oral health indicators such as access to dental care, which increased by more one year according to previous study. 25 However, these results should be considered by those who make public health policies, specifically by those responsible for oral health at the national level in Peru and countries in the region, so that they can evaluate how geographical barriers may limit the establishment of oral health practices such as the use of fluoridated toothpastes; these policies to close inequality gaps will allow for better oral health in the population.…”