COVID-19 Pandemic Onset and its Impact on a Pediatric Dental Outpatient Clinic: A University-Based Study

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on dental care provided at a university-based pediatric dental outpatient clinic. Material and Methods: This was an observational. The monthly numbers of dental procedures were obtained from clinical records. For comparison purposes, three intervals were set: pre-pandemic (March 2019 to February 2020), first year (March 2020 to February 2021), and second year (March 2021 to February 2022) after the COVID-19 pandemic onset (n = 12 in each). The significance level was set at 5%. Results: 1,813 patients were treated, and 6,457 dental procedures were performed. There was no productivity between April 2020 and February 2021. When comparing the pre-pandemic interval and the second year, it was observed that there was a lower monthly number of dental procedures, estimated at -71% (95%CI = -43%, -85%). This reduction was observed in preventive, restorative, endodontic, surgical, and orthodontic/orthopedic dental procedures. However, there was a reduction in the ratio between restorative and surgical (-41%, 95%CI = -4%, -65%) and preventive and surgical (-43%, 95%CI = -4%, -66%), as well as an increase in the ratio between surgical and endodontic (130%, 95%CI = 38%, 291%) dental procedures. Conclusion: The performance of dental procedures at this oral health service was significantly reduced after the COVID-19 pandemic onset.