RETRACTED ARTICLE: Change in hospital admissions in dental diseases before and during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

In this retrospective cross-sectional study, it was aimed to evaluate the negative effects of the pandemic process in the field of oral health by revealing the characteristics of applications made to a hospital related to oral health before and during the pandemic. Patient records who applied to Cyprus Science University Dentistry Hospital between October 2019 and March 2021 were included in the study. Gender, age, applied unit, applying frequency and procedure records were evaluated. Ethical approval was taken from Cyprus Science University. Patient records were divided into two groups as before pandemic ( n = 338) and during pandemic ( n = 1517). Results of the study showed that gender, age and applied unit distributions were not significantly different between before and during pandemic ( p > 0.05). Female and prosthesis applied patients were more common before and after COVID-19 pandemic. Detertrage, tooth extraction, night plaque, temporary cron, metal supported porcelain crown on implant, compomer filler and orthodontic diagnosis rates were decreased during pandemic, compared to before pandemic. Panaromic X-ray was the most common process before and during the pandemic. The differences between before and during pandemic were statistically significant ( p < 0.05). The results of the research show that the pandemic process in terms of oral health caused significant differences in the reasons for application, even in the population aged 34–36, the majority of whom are women.