Patient Perception of Their Dental Treatment During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Background The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted dental care, delaying treatment and increasing patient apprehension. While safety protocols and teledentistry mitigated some challenges, barriers to care persisted. This study examined patients’ perceptions of interrupted dental treatment during the pandemic.Methods This cross-sectional study involved administering surveys online using the Research Match website and in outreach clinics in a university setting in upstate New York. Data analysis included descriptive statistics and logistic regression for patient perceptions based on demographics.Results Most participants were females (69.3%) with public insurance (55.3%). While 73.9% felt their health was not impacted by treatment interruptions, 60.5% believed all patients should have received care regardless of dental condition severity. Age, ethnicity, and education were associated with perceived health effects due to dental treatment interruptions.Conclusions The study underscores how the pandemic shaped patients’ attitudes toward dental care interruptions, highlighting that characterizing these disruptions can inform systemic preparedness, mitigation, and recovery strategies in public health systems.Practical Implications Strengthening dental systems through effective, evidence-based strategies—risk assessment, staff training, transparent communication, and rapid crisis response—can enhance preparedness and sustain continuity of dental care during public health emergencies.