Dental Care Among Adults Age 65 and Older: United States, 2022.

Oral health is associated with overall health, especially in older adults (age 65 and older). Chronic conditions in older adults may affect oral health, and poor oral health may increase the risk of certain chronic conditions (1-3). Poor oral health has also been associated with increased cardiovascular disease risk (4). Several factors, including chronic conditions, health status, race, and income have been associated with reduced dental care use among older adults (5-9). This report describes the percentage of older adults who had a dental visit in the past 12 months by selected sociodemographic characteristics and chronic conditions using the 2022 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS). .

Public Dental Service Access Policies for People with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil: A Pre-Evaluation Study.

This study sought to carry out a systematic and preliminary evaluation of the policies on access to public dental services for people with ASD in a Brazilian city. The study, conducted between November/2019 and February/2020, was developed through document analysis, the design of the theoretical logical model of the policies, and seven semi-structured interviews with key informants. The sample was intentionally selected. We also considered the answers to 108 questionnaires from a pilot study on the access of people with ASD to dental services applied to caregivers, dentists, and non-dental professionals. No refusals were recorded. The availability study showed that the policies' objectives were not being achieved in terms of care network organization: there were no institutional flows, personal contacts were used between professionals to guarantee access to secondary attention, there was no specific training for the dentists about ASD, and the oral health care network was unknown to non-dentist professionals and caregivers. Most people with ASD have visited the dentist at least once in their lives, but a large percentage of those within this study did not do so in the last year. This study identified difficulties in implementing policies and suggested possible strategies for overcoming them as dimensions and subdimensions for evaluation.

Territorial Disparities in Dental Care for Disabled Persons and Oral Health-Related Indicators: A Population-Level Approach in Brazil's Public Healthcare System from 2014 to 2023.

This study evaluated territorial disparities in dental care for disabled persons in Brazil's public healthcare system from 2014 to 2023. The person-year incidence of outpatient dental procedures carried out by special care dentistry specialists and hospitalizations for dental procedures for disabled persons were compared across different regions and against the national estimate. In addition, productivity was correlated with oral health-related indicators. The significance level was set at 5%. The northern region exhibited the highest outpatient productivity, while the southern region showed lower productivity compared to the national estimate (both p-value < 0.05). This pattern was reversed in inpatient productivity (both p-value < 0.05), with the northeastern and central-western regions also below average (both p-value < 0.05). There were no significant correlations between the indicators and inpatient productivity, but outpatient productivity was positively correlated with the proportions of inhabitants who self-rated their general and oral health as "poor" or "very poor", who have never visited a dentist, and who visited a dentist for tooth extraction (all p-values < 0.05). Territorial disparities in dental care for disabled persons were observed within Brazil's public healthcare system, and they were correlated with unfavorable oral health-related indicators at the population level.

Oral health-related quality of life in the LGBTIQ+ population: a cross-sectional study.

The aim of this cross-sectional study was to investigate the associations between oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) and socioeconomic and demographic variables, suicidal ideation, self-perception of oral health, and experiences of dental care in the Brazilian adult LGBTIQ+ population. A sample of 464 participants completed self-administered online questionnaires and provided information for OHRQoL assessment, using the OHIP-14 instrument at three hierarchical levels of explanatory variables: LGBTIQ+ identities; socioeconomic and demographic data and existential suffering; and self-perception of oral health and experience of dental care. The collected data were fitted to hierarchical multiple logistic regression models, in which the associations between each independent variable with the OHIP-14 prevalence outcome were analyzed. The OHIP-14-prevalence index showed that 33.2% of the participants answered 'frequently' or 'always', and the highest frequencies were obtained for the psychological discomfort (27.8%), psychological disability (18.3%), and physical pain (17.5%) domains. According to the adjusted final model, LGBTIQ+ individuals who were more likely to have their OHRQoL affected were those who were indifferent (OR=3.21; 95% CI: 1.26-8.20), dissatisfied (OR=10.45; 95% CI: 3.86-28.26), or very dissatisfied (OR=53.93; 95% CI: 12.12-239.93) with their oral health status, and also those who had or have difficulty accessing dental treatment (OR=2.06; 95% CI: 1.24-3.41) (p<0.05). It may be concluded that the OHRQoL of the investigated Brazilian LGBTIQ+ population showed associations with individual aspects and with access to dental services.

Is private insurance enough to address barriers to accessing dental care? Findings from a Canadian population-based study.

BACKGROUND: In Canada, as in many other countries, private dental insurance addresses financial barriers to a great extent thereby facilitating access to dental care. That said, insurance does not guarantee affordability, as there are issues with the quality and level of coverage of insurance plans. As such, individuals facing barriers to dental care experience poorer oral health. Therefore, it is important to examine more keenly the socio-demographic attributes of people with private insurance to particularly identify those, who despite having insurance, face challenges in accessing dental care and experience poorer oral health. METHODS: This study is a secondary data analysis of the most recent available cycle (2017-18) of the Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS), a national cross-sectional survey. Univariate analysis was conducted to determine the characteristics of Ontarians with private insurance (n = 17,678 representing 6919,814 Ontarians)-bivariate analysis to explore their financial barriers to dental care, and how they perceive their oral health. Additionally, logistic regressions were conducted to identify relationships between covariates and outcome variables. RESULTS: Analysis shows that the majority of those with private insurance do not experience cost barriers to dental care and perceive their oral health as good to excellent. However, specific populations, including those aged 20-39 years, and those earning less than $40,000, despite having private dental insurance, face significantly more cost barriers to access to care compared to their counterparts. Additionally, those with the lowest income (earning less than $20,000 annually) perceived their oral health as "fair to poor" more than those earning more. Adjusted estimates revealed that respondents aged 20-39 were six times more likely to report cost barriers to dental care and ten times more likely to visit the dentist only for emergencies than those aged 12-19. Additionally, those aged 40-59 were two times more likely to report poorer oral health status compared to those aged 12-19. CONCLUSION: Given the upcoming implementation of the Canadian Dental Care Plan, the results of this study can support in identifying vulnerable populations who currently are ineligible for the Plan but can be benefitted from the coverage.

Relationships among barodontalgia prevalence, altitude, stress, dental care frequency, and barodontalgia awareness: a survey of Turkish pilots.

Background: Gas expansion in body cavities due to pressure changes at high altitudes can cause barodontalgia. This condition may compromise flight safety. Aim: To investigate relationships among barodontalgia awareness, dental visit frequency, and barodontalgia prevalence in civilian and military pilots operating at high altitudes. Materials and Methods: Civilian pilots from Turkish Airlines and military pilots from the Turkish Air Force, flying between November 2022 and January 2023, participated in this study. A 20-question survey was administered to 750 pilots, covering topics such as barodontalgia awareness, dental visit frequency, breaks after dental treatments, in-flight pain, and pain type and severity. The voluntary surveys were distributed by email. Results: Of the 750 pilots, 526 completed the survey; 61% were aware of barodontalgia, and 81% of pilots who had experienced it reported pain at altitudes <2000 feet. The study revealed higher barodontalgia awareness among pilots who had experienced it, with the highest prevalence among jet pilots. Pilots with barodontalgia also showed a higher frequency of dental visits (p < 0.001). Additionally, this group reported more frequent interruption of flight due to dental treatment (IFDT), more problems experienced in flights after treatment (PFAT), and higher instances of bruxism or teeth clenching during flight, suggesting stress and anxiety (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Barodontalgia, a type of pain linked to stress, significantly impacts pilot performance, and can threaten flight safety, even at lower altitudes. Thus, there is a need to educate pilots about stress management, barodontalgia awareness, and the importance of regular dental check-ups.

How an increase in income affects the use of dental care services among a low-income population: evidence from the Finnish basic income experiment.

BACKGROUND: Previous research has shown that the use of dental care services has a significant socioeconomic gradient. Lower income groups tend to use dental care services less, and they often have poorer dental health than higher income groups. The purpose of this study is to evaluate how an increase in income affects the use of dental care services among a low-income population. METHODS: The study examines the causal effect of increasing cash transfers on the use of dental care services by utilizing unique register-based data from a randomized field experiment conducted in Finland in 2017-2018. The Finnish basic income experiment introduced an exogenous increase in the income of persons who previously received basic unemployment benefits. Register-based data on the study population's use of public and private dental care services were collected both for the treatment group (N = 2,000) and the control group (N = 173,222) of the experiment over a five-year period 2015-2019: two years before, two years during, and one year after the experiment. The experiment's average treatment effect on the use of dental care services was estimated with OLS regressions. RESULTS: The Finnish basic income experiment had no detectable effect on the overall use of dental care services. However, it decreased the probability of visiting public dental care (-2.7% points, -4.7%, p =.017) and increased the average amount of out-of-pocket spending on private care (12.1 euros, 29.8%, p =.032). The results suggest that, even in a country with a universal public dental care coverage, changes in cash transfers do affect the dental care patterns of low-income populations.

The Relationship Between Dental Provider Density and Receipt of Dental Care Among Medicaid-enrolled Adults.

OBJECTIVE: We sought to measure the association of dental provider density and receipt of dental care among Medicaid-enrolled adults. METHODS: We used four years of Indiana Medicaid claims and enrollment data (2015 to 2018) and the Area Health Resources File to examine the relationship between any dental visit (ADV) or any preventive dental visit (PDV) and three county-level measures of dental provider density (the total number of Medicaid-participating dentists, a binary indicator of a federally qualified health center (FQHC) with a Medicaid-participating dentist, and the overall county dentist-to-population ratio). RESULTS: The likelihood of ADV or PDV increased with greater density of Medicaid-participating dentists as well as dentists accepting Medicaid working at an FQHC within the county. The overall dentist-to-population ratio was not associated with dental care use among the adult Medicaid population. CONCLUSION: Dentist participation in Medicaid program may be a modifiable barrier to Medicaid-enrolled adults' receipt of dental care.

Oral health knowledge, attitudes and behaviours of adults: Findings from a National Oral Health Survey in Singapore.

OBJECTIVES: Prevention complements the curative management of oral diseases. Effective preventive interventions involve the adoption of oral health promoting behaviours. Little is known about the awareness of oral disease and its prevention among Singaporean adults as well as their prevailing oral health attitudes and behaviours. The aim of the study was to describe the oral health knowledge, attitudes and behaviours of adults in Singapore. METHODS: A random sample of adults (≥21 years old) in Singapore was selected to complete an interviewer-administered questionnaire. The questionnaire gathered information about their knowledge of the aetiology, signs and symptoms as well as prevention of dental caries and periodontal disease; attitudes about the value of teeth, locus of control in maintaining oral health and oral health behaviours including toothbrushing, flossing and dental attendance. RESULTS: A total of 1196 adults of weighted mean age 48 years old with almost equal proportions of males and females responded to the questionnaire. Participants were more unaware about the causes of periodontal disease (25.7%) than dental caries (4%). While more than 90% of participants felt that healthy teeth were important and could affect their overall health, many (67.0%) felt it was natural to lose their teeth with old age. Among the participants, 83.5% brushed their teeth twice a day; 41.9% flossed their teeth and 53.9% visited the dentist at least once a year. CONCLUSIONS: The study findings showed good knowledge around dental caries but some gaps around periodontal disease. It also found that participants perceived having limited control over preventing tooth loss. Irregular dental attendance and poor denture wearing habits were also noted. The findings shed light on key areas to focus on through oral health promotion to improve overall oral health.

Access to dental services in an elder population of African descent in Brazil.

OBJECTIVES: We investigated access to dental services and associated factors in a community of Quilombola older people. BACKGROUND: Quilombola populations are groups of individuals descended from black Africans subjected to slavery during part of Brazilian history. As marginalised and neglected individuals, they have high rates of negative indicators and require further attention to the social determinants that affect their health reality. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional quantitative study was conducted in the Quilombola community of Castainho, in the Northeast region of Brazil. In this community, 34 older people aged between 65 and 74 resided. We collected self-report data on sociodemographic and economic characteristics, along with oral examinations by the researchers. The primary dependent variable was regular access to dental services. Statistical analysis used Fisher's exact test (P = .05). RESULTS: Among the 32 participants in the final sample, 18.8% (n = 6) reported accessing dental services in the previous 6 months. Self-declared individuals of mixed race, with positive self-assessment of oral health, and those who did not self-perceive the need for treatment had lower rates of regular access to dental services (P < .05). CONCLUSION: Use of dental services by older Quilombola people is low, and there are differences by ethnicity and individual perception of oral health.

Explaining public dental service utilization: A theoretical model.

OBJECTIVES: Constructing and validating a theoretical model of relationships between dental services use and socioeconomic characteristics, oral health status, primary care coverage, and public dental services. METHODS: The first stage of the study consisted of developing a theoretical-conceptual model to demonstrate the expected relationships between variables based on the literature. In the second stage, we tested the proposed theoretical model using the Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) technique, using data from the Brazilian National Health Survey conducted in 2019 with a sample of 41,664 individuals aged 15 or older. RESULTS: This study successfully defined a theoretical model that explains the systematic relationships involving public dental services utilization. Socioeconomic status was negatively associated with oral health status (ß = -0.376), enrollment in primary care facilities (ß = -0.254), and the use of public dental consultations (ß = -0.251). Being black, indigenous, or living in a rural area was directly associated with lower socioeconomic status and greater use of public dental services. CONCLUSIONS: The identified relationships, establishing a theoretical basis for further investigations, also provide evidence of a public access policy's effect on oral health services on equity, supporting the construction of more effective and equitable public policies.

Association between place of dental check-ups and work absenteeism among Japanese workers.

OBJECTIVES: Dental check-ups at the workplace provide the opportunity for early detection of dental diseases. Dental check-ups during working hours could reduce the number of days of absence from work due to visits to dental clinics outside the workplace. Although health check-ups are provided to workers in Japan, dental check-ups is not mandatory. This study aimed to determine the association between the place of dental check-ups and absenteeism due to visits to the dental clinic. METHODS: This cross-sectional study used data from an online self-reported worker survey conducted for 2 weeks in March 2017. We applied linear regression analysis with robust variance to determine the association between the place of dental check-ups and absenteeism due to dental clinic visits while adjusting for sociodemographic, health, and oral health covariates. RESULTS: The average age of the 3930 participants was 43.3 ± 11.7 years, and 52.3% were male. The number of days of absenteeism due to dental clinic visits in the past year for those who received check-ups only at the dental clinic and at the workplace were 0.57 ± 2.67 days and 0.21 ± 1.20 days, respectively. After adjusting for covariates, it was found that those who received dental check-ups at the workplace had 0.35 (95% CI, 0.12-0.58) fewer days of absence than those who received dental check-ups at the dental clinic. CONCLUSION: Workers who received dental check-ups at the workplace were associated with fewer days of absence due to dental visits than those who received at the dental clinic.

Teledentistry Acceptability Among Latina/o/x Adults in Rural Southwest Virginia.

Inequitable access to dental care remains a barrier to optimal health for rural populations. With the COVID-19 pandemic, teledentistry to improve the delivery of oral health care has been emphasized. Few previous investigations of teledentistry acceptability have included Latina/o/x populations in rural areas of the United States. We recruited Latina/o/x adults (N=91) in rural southwest Virginia to participate in a survey to assess correlates related to teledentistry acceptability. More than half of participants (57%) reported no interest in using teledentistry if it were available. Having a yearly household income above $24,000 and not having dental insurance were positively associated with telehealth acceptability (p=.04 and p=.01, respectively). Inequitable access to dental care may persist even with broad availability of teledentistry services unless there is explicit integration of health equity.

Procedimentos odontopediátricos realizados pelo Sistema Único de Saúde no Rio Grande do Sul, antes e durante a pandemia de covid-19: diferença entre os anos de 2018 e 2021 / Procedimientos de odontopediatría realizados en el Sistema Único de Salud del estado de Rio Grande do Sul antes y durante la pandemia de COVID-19: diferencia entre los años 2018 y 2021 / Pediatric dentistry procedures performed within the Brazilian National Health System in the state of Rio Grande do Sul before and during the COVID-19 pandemic: difference between the years 2018 and 2021

Objective: to analyze the difference in the number of primary teeth dental procedures performed within the Brazilian National Health System (SUS) in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: this was a descriptive ecological study, using secondary data from the SUS Outpatient Information System (SIA-SUS), from 2018 to 2021, in the state and in its seven health macro-regions; we calculated the relative and absolute frequencies and the percentage difference of the dental procedures performed. Results: 94,443 and 36,151 dental procedures were recorded before and during the pandemic, respectively, corresponding to a 61.7% reduction; relevant percentage reductions were found in restorative procedures, which reached 20% in the southern region of the state; an increase in the percentage of exodontic and endodontic procedures was found. Conclusion: the results suggest that the COVID-19 pandemic had negative repercussions on the performance of primary teeth dental procedures in Rio Grande do Sul.

Objetivo: analizar la diferencia en el número de procedimientos odontológicos en dentición temporal realizados en el Sistema Único de Salud del estado de Rio Grande do Sul, antes y durante la pandemia de COVID-19. Métodos: estudio ecológico descriptivo, utilizando datos secundarios del Sistema de Información Ambulatorio del SUS (SIA-SUS), de 2018 a 2021, en el estado y en las siete macrorregiones de salud. Se calcularon las frecuencias relativas, absolutas y la diferencia porcentual de los procedimientos odontológicos realizados. Resultados: se registraron 94.443 y 36.151 procedimientos odontológicos antes y durante la pandemia, respectivamente, lo que corresponde a una reducción del 61,7%. Se observaron reducciones porcentuales relevantes en los procedimientos restaurativos, que alcanzaron 20 puntos porcentuales en la región sur del estado. Se observó un aumento en el porcentaje de procedimientos de exodoncia y endodoncia. Conclusión: los resultados sugieren que la pandemia de COVID-19 tuvo repercusiones negativas en la realización de procedimientos odontológicos en dentición temporal en el estado.

Objetivo: analisar a diferença no número de procedimentos odontológicos na dentição decídua, realizados pelo Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS) no estado do Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil, antes e durante a pandemia de covid-19. Métodos: estudo ecológico descritivo, utilizando-se dados secundários do Sistema de Informações Ambulatoriais do SUS (SIA/SUS), de 2018 a 2021, no estado e em suas sete macrorregiões de saúde; foram calculadas as frequências relativas e absolutas, e a diferença percentual dos procedimentos odontológicos realizados. Resultados: foram registrados 94.443 e 36.151 procedimentos odontológicos antes e durante a pandemia, respectivamente, correspondendo a uma redução de 61,7%; reduções percentuais relevantes foram observadas nos procedimentos restauradores, atingindo 20 pontos percentuais na região Sul do estado; observou-se aumento no percentual de procedimentos exodônticos e endodônticos. Conclusão: os resultados sugerem que a pandemia de covid-19 teve repercussões negativas sobre a realização dos procedimentos odontológicos na dentição decídua, no estado.

Association between the level of indifference to dental treatment and habits of oral hygiene in adults / Asociación entre el nivel de indiferencia al tratamiento dental y los hábitos de higiene bucal

Introduction: Inadequate oral hygiene habits such as lack of tooth brushing, use of irrigators, fluoridated toothpastes, and dental floss, as well as the importance of worrying about going to the dentist in the event of any problem in the oral cavity and the continuity of treatment are factors that could increase the risk in patients. Objetive: To determine the association between the level of indifference to dental treatment and the oral hygiene habits of those surveyed adults. Material and Methods: An observational, analytical and cross-sectional study. The level of indifference to dental treatment was evaluated using a translated virtual questionnaire and subsequently internally validated (Cronbach's alpha: 0.91). There were a total of 249 participants, 150 males and 99 females, with a mean age of 30.69 years. For the association of the qualitative variables and the report of the crude and adjusted odds' ratio (OR), a logistic regression was used. We worked with a level of statistical significance of p<0.05 and a confidence interval of 95%. Results: A high level of indifference to dental treatment was obtained in 57.83% of the respondents. Likewise, a statistically significant association was found between indifference to dental treatment and education (p = 0.012). Regarding oral hygiene habits, a statistically significant association was found with flossing (OR = 2.22; 95% CI: 1.10-4.46) (p = 0.025) and brushing before sleeping (OR = 5.26; 95%: 2.26-12-22) (p<0.001). Conclusion: There is a statistically significant association between the level of indifference to dental treatment with oral hygiene habits, flossing and brushing before sleeping. It is advisable to carry out activities in the communities to promote oral health care to reduce levels of indifference to dental treatment.

Introducción: Los inadecuados hábitos de higiene bucal como la falta de cepillado dental, uso de irrigadores, pastas dentales fluoradas e hilo dental, así como la importancia de preocuparse por acudir al odontólogo ante cualquier problema en la cavidad oral y la continuidad del tratamiento son factores que podrían agravar el riesgo en los pacientes. Objetivo: Determinar la asociación entre el nivel de indiferencia al tratamiento dental y los hábitos de higiene bucal de los encuestados en adultos en edades comprendidas entre los 18 a 45 años de la urbanización Buenos Aires de Villa en Chorrillos, Perú. Material y Métodos: Se realizó un estudio observacional, analítico y transversal. El nivel de indiferencia al tratamiento dental fue evaluado mediante un cuestionario virtual traducido y posteriormente validado internamente (alpha de Cronbach: 0.91). Se tuvo un total de 249 participantes, entre ellos 150 hombres y 99 mujeres con una media edad de 30,69 años. Para la asociación de las variables cualitativas y el reporte de las Odds Ratio (OR) crudas y ajustadas, se empleó una regresión logística. Se trabajó con un nivel de significancia estadística de p<0.05 y un intervalo de confianza del 95%. Resultados: Se obtuvo un alto nivel de indiferencia al tratamiento dental en el 57.83% de los encuestados. Asimismo, se encontró una asociación estadísticamente significativa de la indiferencia al tratamiento dental con la educación (p= 0.012). Respecto a los hábitos de higiene bucal, se encontró asociación estadísticamente significativa con uso de hilo dental (OR=2.22; IC del 95%: 1.10-4.46) (p=0.025) y el cepillado antes de dormir (OR=5.26; IC del 95%: 2.26-12-22) (p<0.001). Conclusión: Se concluyó que existe una asociación estadísticamente significativa entre el nivel de indiferencia al tratamiento dental con los hábitos de higiene bucal uso de hilo dental y cepillado antes de dormir. Se aconseja realizar actividades en las comunidades para promover el cuidado de la salud bucal con la finalidad de reducir los niveles de indiferencia al tratamiento dental.

The effect on dental care utilization from transitioning pediatric Medicaid beneficiaries to managed care.

Compared to the fee-for-service (FFS) model, the managed care delivery system has the potential to improve health care management, increase provider accountability, and support better monitoring of health care quality. However, managed care organizations may attempt to control costs by curbing utilization among Medicaid beneficiaries or reducing reimbursement for Medicaid services. It is an empirical question whether managed care increases or decreases utilization of services. Using detailed pediatric public insurance dental claims data from 2016 through 2018, we examined whether the transition from FFS to managed care affects rates of dental care utilization. Between 2016 and 2018, Indiana, Missouri and Nebraska transitioned pediatric Medicaid beneficiaries from public dental fee-for-service programs to private managed care entities. Using an extended two-way fixed-effects estimation framework, we found that dental managed care leads to a decline in dental care utilization, especially when compared to states that maintain FFS provision of Medicaid dental services.

Trends in Dental Utilization Among Young Children in the United States, 1996-2016.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine national trends and demographic associations with dental utilization among young children over 20 years (1996 to 2016). Methods: Data from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey from 1996 to 2016 was used to estimate nationally representative rates of dental utilization among children. Results: From 1996 to 2016, the largest relative increases in dental utilization were seen among zero- to one-year-olds (odds ratio equals 6.20) and two- to three-year-olds (odds ratio equals 2.15), whereas older age groups had smaller relative increases (all odds ratios equal less than 1.5). However, in 2016, only 5.3 percent of zero- to one-year-olds and 31.0 percent of two- to three-year-olds visited a dentist. Conclusion: Despite large relative increases in dental utilization among zero- to three-year-olds, a vast majority of these children do not visit a dentist, suggesting that guidelines on establishing a dental home by age one are not adequately implemented.

Dentistry during COVID-19: patients' knowledge and satisfaction toward health protocols COVID-19 during dental treatment.

BACKGROUND: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) as an infectious disease primarily spreading through droplet infection in dental treatment. Patient satisfaction is an indicator of healthcare quality service. Quality of healthcare service and patient satisfaction has been affected by the COVID­19 pandemic. This study aims to assess the knowledge and satisfaction toward health protocols COVID-19 during dental treatment among dental patients. METHODS: An institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted on 270 dental patients using a self­designed questionnaire consisting of knowledge and satisfaction about health protocols COVID-19 during dental treatment through a random sampling technique. Data were imported to SPSS version 21 for analysis. Descriptive and analytical statistics were used to identify the factors associated with their knowledge and satisfaction. A p value < 0.05 was considered statistical significance. RESULTS: Totally, 270 dental patients with mean age of 37.6 ± 6.7 years participated in the study. The mean knowledge score was 36.7 ± 3.5, as considerable number of participants were unaware about the risk associated with dental treatment as well as restrictions imposed on dental procedures. About 18% of participants experienced one or other form of dental complaints during the lockdown period. The overall level of patient satisfaction was 44.6%. CONCLUSION: It can be concluded that, public knowledge is to be improved about risk of virus transmission that can be related with dental treatment and also people should be encouraged to use virtual facilities, such as teledentistry, so that no dental emergencies is left untreated during the pandemic time. In addition, the level of satisfaction was in a medium level for dental patients in the study area. Specifically, we deduced from the results that social/physical distancing measures are one of the mechanisms to decrease the fear of exposure to the COVID-19.

Measuring the quality of dental care among privately insured children in the United States.

OBJECTIVE: To examine whether quality of dental care varies by age and over time and whether community-level characteristics explain these patterns. DATA SOURCE: Deidentified medical and dental claims from a commercial insurer from January 2015 to December 2019. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective cohort study. The primary outcome was a composite quality score, derived from seven dental quality measures (DQMs), with higher values corresponding to better quality. Hierarchical regression models identified person- and zip code-level factors associated with the quality. DATA COLLECTION/EXTRACTION METHODS: Continuously enrolled US dental insurance beneficiaries younger than 21 years of age. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Quality was assessed for 4.88 million person-years covering 1.31 million persons. Overall quality slightly improved over time, mostly driven by substantial improvements among children aged 0-5 years by 0.153 points/year (95% confidence interval [CI]:0.151, 0.156). Quality was poorest and declined over time among adolescents with only 20.5% of DQMs met as compared to 42.6% among aged 0-5 years in 2019. Dental professional shortage, median household income, percentages of African Americans, unemployed, and less-educated populations at the zip code level were associated with the composite score. CONCLUSION: Quality of dental care among adolescents remains low, and place of residence influenced the quality. Increasing the supply of dentists and oral health promotion strategies targeting adolescents and low-performing localities should be explored.

Challenges in providing special care dentistry during COVID-19 pandemic: a survey of public dental care services in Italy.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this paper was to assess COVID-19 pandemic impact over the public health care services (HCS) involved in special care dentistry (SCD). METHODS: Customized questionnaire was sent to 45 HCS involved in SCD. Healthcare personnel (HP) on duty, safety of HCS, time of suspension and reduction of routine dental practice in special needs patients (SNP), kind of SNP mostly penalized during pre-COVID period/T1, lockdown (phase 1/T2) and post pandemic reopening (phase 2/T3) were analyzed by statistical means (P<0.05). RESULTS: 21 questionnaires were returned. A significant decrease of median number of HP during T2 was observed. Prevalence of COVID-19 infection among HP was not significantly different between T2 vs. T3. Medical surveillance of HP during T2 was significantly lower than during T3. Patients with lack of cooperation were the most disadvantaged during both phases dental procedures were significantly lower between T1 and T2 and between T1 and T3 as well. Patients with lack of cooperation and/or living in residential care homes were the most disadvantaged in relation to access to dental care during both phases. CONCLUSIONS: COVID-19 pandemic determined significant restrictions in daily access to routine oral care resulting in reduction of preventive evaluations and decline of oral health in a population which is already at a higher risk of oral pathologies. Our data reveal that reduction of dental procedures, healthcare professionals and days of suspension of clinical activity were still considerable also in T3 with respect to T1 and in some cases not significantly different from T2.