ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to identify the relationship between prevention measures and protective barriers in dental practice in El Salvador and Mexico during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A longitudinal study was conducted from June 2020 to December 2021, involving 1,719 dentists divided into four groups based on location and year. A 20-question survey in Spanish was utilized and validated with a Cronbach's alpha value of 0.84. RESULTS: The use of phone triage (OR = 1.3), thermometers (OR = 1.4), physical distancing (OR = 1.7), and face shields (OR = 2.6) was significantly associated with dental practice in both countries during the pandemic. CONCLUSIONS: During 2020 and 2021, dental care in El Salvador and Mexico was significantly linked to COVID-19 preventive measures. Phone triage, thermometers, distancing, and face shields positively correlated with dental services. National health agencies should promote the use of minimum preventive measures in dental care, preparing for potential reinfections or new pandemics from emerging virus variants.
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Older adults are a highly vulnerable group in their general health condition, including oral health that can be influenced by different factors, among them, changes in oral tissues inherent to the physiological processes of aging and by systemic condition. In El Salvador, it is a group that has received little attention at the public health level. OBJECTIVE: To determine the profile of the oral health status and treatment needs of the elderly population in El Salvador. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Secondary cross-sectional analysis of data from the last oral health survey in 471 Salvadorans aged 60 years and older. The variables under study were: sociodemographics, brushing frequency, oral hygiene according to simplified oral hygiene index (OHI-S), caries experience according to decayed, missing, and filled teeth index (DMFT) modified with international caries detection and assessment system (ICDAS) criteria, periodontal status through the community periodontal index of treatment needs (CPITN), edentulism and treatment needs. Statistical analysis was conducted using chi-square test, ANOVA, z-test and linear regression (p < 0.05). RESULTS: The older adults presented poor oral hygiene, low brushing frequency, high tooth loss with an average of 16 missing teeth while one third presented total edentulism. Most of the older adults were categorized as having "poor or very Poor" oral hygiene. Almost all respondents presented some degree of periodontal disease and required restorative intervention. CONCLUSION: The oral health status of elderly Salvadoran is poor. Furthermore, the development of public policies and specific oral health strategies aimed at this population is urgent.
Subject(s)
Dental Caries , Tooth Loss , Aged , Cross-Sectional Studies , DMF Index , Dental Caries/complications , Dental Caries/epidemiology , Health Status , Humans , Middle Aged , Oral Health , Oral Hygiene , Oral Hygiene Index , Tooth Loss/complications , Tooth Loss/epidemiologyABSTRACT
El SARS-CoV-2 es el séptimo betacoronavirus que infecta a la especie humana. Este se caracteriza por una alta transmisibilidad y relativa baja letalidad. La enfermedad se manifiesta, en la mayor parte de la población, de forma leve y aumenta la probabilidad de severidad y letalidad en adultos mayores de 65 años, con enfermedades crónicas no trasmisibles previas como diabetes, hipertensión arterial, enfermedades respiratorias y obesidad. En este artículo de revisión se presentan parámetros con base en la evidencia científica, que guíen al odontólogo en la toma de decisiones, para la atención odontológica y limitar el riesgo de infección cruzada en el marco del estado actual de pandemia por COVID-19. La llamada o video llamada constituye la primera elección para realizar el triaje, previo a asignar una cita, ya que permite clasificar el riesgo de infección por COVID-19 de un paciente y establecer el nivel de prioridad de tratamiento. El algoritmo para la toma de decisiones en clínicas odontológicas durante el período de emergencia por COVID-19, debe constituirse en una recomendación que los odontólogos que atienden pacientes pongan en práctica. Por cuanto, permite clasificar el riesgo de infección y letalidad del paciente, definiendo los tratamientos en electivos, de urgencia o emergencia. Palabras clave: infecciones por coronavirus, Clínicas Odontológicas, Contención de riesgos biológicos, Toma de decisiones, pandemia
SARS-CoV-2 is the seventh betacoronavirus to infect the human species. It is characterized by high transmissibility and relatively low lethality. The disease manifests itself, in most of the population, in a mild way and increases the probability of severity and fatality in adults over 65 years of age, with previous non-communicable chronic diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, respiratory diseases and obesity. This review article presents parameters based on scientific evidence, which guide the dentist in decision-making, for dental care and limit the risk of cross infection in the context of the current state of the COVID-19 pandemic. The call or video call is the first choice for triage, prior to assigning an appointment, since it allows classifying the risk of infection by COVID-19 of a patient and establishing the level of priority of treatment. The algorithm for decision-making in dental clinics during the emergency period due to COVID-19 should become a recommendation that dentists who care for patients put into practice. Because, it allows classifying the risk of infection and lethality of the patient, defining the treatments as elective, urgent or emergency. Keywords: coronavirus infections, Dental Clinics, Containment of biological risks, Decision making, pandemic
Subject(s)
Humans , Dental Care , Coronavirus Infections , Decision Making , Dental ClinicsABSTRACT
La Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS), el pasado 11 de marzo de 2020 emitió alerta mundial debido a la propagación del SARS-CoV-2, un virus altamente contagioso que se presentó por primera vez en diciembre de 2019 en Hubei, Wuhan, República Popular de China. Con el propósito de proteger la salud de la población, el gobierno de El Salvador implementó "Medidas Extraordinarias de Prevención y Contención para declarar al territorio Nacional como zona sujeta a Control Sanitario, con el fin de Contener la Pandemia de COVID-19". El Órgano Ejecutivo en el Ramo de Salud anunció dichas medidas el 21 de marzo de 2020 a través del decreto No.12, lo que indica la suspensión de las consultas odontológicas privadas y públicas que no sean emergencia1,2. En el Decreto Ejecutivo No. 12, Artículo 3, literal h2, se hace mención a las excepciones y casos de emergencias y otros relacionados estrictamente con la salud. El decreto custodia por la vida e integridad de la población y en todo su contenido expresa el cuido de las poblaciones vulnerables y que ameritan seguimiento a necesidades prioritarias en salud; tal es el caso de las Emergencias en Odontología, las cuales si no son atendidas de forma oportuna pueden derivar en complicaciones sistémicas en detrimento del sistema inmunológico aumentando el riesgo de letalidad de las personas, independientemente al grupo etario al que pertenezca. En concordancia con el decreto ejecutivo, la Junta de Vigilancia de la Profesión Odontológica (JVPO) a través del Consejo Superior de Salud Pública (CSSP), emite un comunicado de prensa el 24 de marzo en el cual hace una aclaración a los profesionales de la odontología y al público en general, indicando que durante la cuarentena domiciliar se podrán realizar procedimeintos odontológicos exclusivamente de emergencias3.
