Analysis of Online Consultations and Emergent Treatments of Operative Dentistry and Endodontics during the COVID-19 Epidemic

Fushi Wang, Weiwei Qiao, Fei Wang and Liuyan Meng
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Fushi Wang: The State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Basic Science of Stomatology (Hubei-MOST) and Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430079, China
Weiwei Qiao: The State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Basic Science of Stomatology (Hubei-MOST) and Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430079, China
Fei Wang: The State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Basic Science of Stomatology (Hubei-MOST) and Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430079, China
Liuyan Meng: The State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Basic Science of Stomatology (Hubei-MOST) and Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430079, China

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 4, 1-9

Abstract: Background: The purpose of the present study is to evaluate the characteristics of online consultations and emergent dental treatments and analyze the status of diseases related to operative dentistry and endodontics (ODE) during the COVID-19 epidemic. Methods: Online consultations were collected from 3 February to 21 April 2020. The electronic medical record system was accessed to collect clinical diagnoses and emergent dental treatments from 9 January to 21 April 2020. Results: A total of 2419 patients visited us and received treatments 2 weeks before the lockdown. The number of patients decreased to 537 during the 76 days of the lockdown. Among them, dental examinations accounted for the majority of visits (88.83%). After 7 April, the outpatient number increased to 36.79 ± 6.63 per day, but the proportion of dental examinations and treatments did not change significantly. A total of 1218 online consultations were completed before the lockdown. The most common dental problem was pulpitis (48.1%). After 7 April, consultations surged from 23.15 ± 8.54 to 44.43 ± 12.63 per day. Consultations related to pulpitis, apical periodontitis, or dental caries remained stable. Conclusions: Correct understanding, active treatments, and appropriate psychological interventions for the ODE staff during the COVID-19 epidemic are necessary. Our results may provide references to arrange staff and treat patients more efficiently for future epidemics.

Keywords: operative dentistry; endodontics; COVID-19 epidemic; online consultations; emergent dental treatments (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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