ABSTRACT
Background and Aim: When COVID-19 pandemic broke out, there was a need to set up an urgent dental care (UDC) clinic where COVID-19 infected, suspected, exposed, or quarantined patients could be treated safely. The aim of this study is to report UDC clinic's triage and the patient-specific characteristics, reasons to seek for care and the given treatments from March to December 2020 at the UDC clinic in the Hospital District of Helsinki and Uusimaa (HUS), Finland. Methods: The triage and the treatment protocol were based on the existing scientific data. Questionnaire and assessment of the treatment needs were done by dental specialists as gatekeepers. Staff was educated to follow the treatment protocol, which aimed to avoid the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 while providing adequate treatment for the patients. Patient files were evaluated from HUS electronic data base. Modified Total Dental Index and the number of teeth were assessed from the panoramic tomography and used to determine the overall oral health of the patients. Results: There were 1114 consultations and 257 visits at the clinic. Most of the patients (63.2%) were generally healthy with a mean age of 35. The most common reason for seeking for care was toothache (78.6%). Respiratory symptoms were present in 63.4% and 6.8% of the patients had COVID-19 infection. The most frequent given treatment was tooth extraction (65.8%), mostly due to caries (66.5%). Periodontal problems were reason for 4.7% of the visits. Statistically significant differences between COVID-19 infected and other patients occurred in age (45 vs. 34 years-of-age, p = 0.009) and number of teeth (25 vs. 28, p = 0.031). No SARS-CoV-2 infection transmission chains were traced to the clinic. Conclusions: Triage worked well and patients were treated safely and effectively. Patient-specific characteristics revealed no new data on COVID-19 and visits were typical for UDC.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Stainless-steel crowns (SSCs) are recommended for restorative treatment of young teeth severely affected by caries, fractures or dental developmental disorders (DDDs). However, despite recommendations and clinical evidence, SSCs are not widely used by general dentists, who favour extraction and more conventional restorations. The present study aimed to investigate the views of and use of SSCs among Norwegian and Finnish dentists. METHODS: The present study was a cross-sectional survey among Norwegian and Finnish dentists. An electronic questionnaire was sent to Norwegian and Finnish dentists asking whether they used SSCs and on which indications. In addition, the questionnaire assessed reasons for non-use and dentists' perceptions regarding advantages and challenges in the use of SSCs, as well as the need for additional training. Distributions of background characteristics, use of and views on SSCs were calculated, and statistical significance of the associations between respondents' background and their answers were evaluated. RESULTS: Of the 574 Norwegian and 765 Finnish respondents, only 12.0% and 12.9% reported to use SSCs, respectively. The most frequently reported barrier reported by those who did not use SSCs was lack of practical training. The most frequent challenge reported by those using SSCs was difficulties in crown adjustment followed by aesthetic issues, and the most frequently reported advantage was that SSCs maintain the function and occlusion. The majority of respondents reported a need for more information and practical training in the use of SSCs, with hands-on course as their most frequently preferred education type. CONCLUSION: Although the value of SSCs for restoring young molars is recognized by Norwegian and Finnish dentists, SSCs are rarely used by general dentists. The majority of the respondents reported lack of training and materials and was interested in receiving more information and education.