National Trends in the Prevalence of Unmet Health Care and Dental Care Needs During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Longitudinal Study in South Korea, 2009-2022.

BACKGROUND: Although previous studies have investigated trends in unmet health care and dental care needs, most have focused on specific groups, such as patients with chronic conditions and older adults, and have been limited by smaller data sets. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to investigate the trends and relative risk factors for unmet health care and dental care needs, as well as the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on these needs. METHODS: We assessed unmet health care and dental care needs from 2009 to 2022 using data from the Korea Community Health Survey (KCHS). Our analysis included responses from 2,750,212 individuals. Unmet health care or dental care needs were defined as instances of not receiving medical or dental services deemed necessary by experts or desired by patients. RESULTS: From 2009 to 2022, the study included 2,700,705 individuals (1,229,671 men, 45.53%; 673,780, 24.95%, aged 19-39 years). Unmet health care needs decreased before the COVID-19 pandemic; however, during the pandemic, there was a noticeable increase (ßdiff 0.10, 95% CI 0.09-0.11). Unmet dental care needs declined before the pandemic and continued to decrease during the pandemic (ßdiff 0.23, 95% CI 0.22-0.24). Overall, the prevalence of unmet dental care needs was significantly higher than that for unmet health care needs. While the prevalence of unmet health care needs generally decreased over time, the ß difference during the pandemic increased compared with prepandemic values. CONCLUSIONS: Our study is the first to analyze national unmet health care and dental care needs in South Korea using nationally representative, long-term, and large-scale data from the KCHS. We found that while unmet health care needs decreased during COVID-19, the decline was slower compared with previous periods. This suggests a need for more targeted interventions to prevent unmet health care and dental care needs.

Trends and socioeconomic inequalities in the dental attendance of adult smokers in Scotland from 2009 to 2019, a repeated cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Smoking continues to be the single largest cause of preventable disease and death and a major contributor to health inequalities. Dental professionals are well placed to offer behavioural support in combination with pharmacotherapy to increase smoking cessation rates across the population. We aimed to assess the trends and socioeconomic inequalities in the dental attendance of adult smokers in Scotland from 2009 to 2019 and examine the potential population reach of dental settings for smoking cessation interventions. METHODS: A secondary analysis was conducted of combined Scottish Health Surveys (SHeS) from 2009/11, 2013/15 and 2017/19. 'Recent' dental attendance (within the past two years) was the focus and descriptive analysis examined attendance of self-reported smokers compared to non-smokers and stratified by the area-based Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD) and individual socioeconomic measures (income, education, and occupation). Generalised linear models were used to model recent attendance in non-smokers relative to smokers adjusted by the socioeconomic measures, for each of the survey cohorts separately. Absolute differences and risk ratios were calculated with 95% Confidence Intervals (CI). RESULTS: Recent dental attendance was generally high and increased in both smokers (70-76%) and non-smokers (84-87%) from 2009/11 to 2017/19 and increased across all SIMD groups. After adjustment for sociodemographic variables, the adjusted Risk Difference (aRD) for recent attendance between non-smokers and smokers was 8.9% (95% CI 4.6%, 13.2%) by 2017/19. Within smokers, recent attendance was 7-9% lower in those living in the most deprived areas compared to those living in the least deprived areas over the three surveys. CONCLUSIONS: SHeS data from 2009 to 2019 demonstrated that a high and increasing proportion of smokers in the population attend the dentist, albeit slightly less frequently than non-smokers. There were large inequalities in the dental attendance of smokers, to a lesser extent in non-smokers, and these persisted over time. Dental settings provide a good potential opportunity to deliver population-level smoking cessation interventions, but smokers in the most deprived groups and older age groups may be harder to reach. Consideration should be given to ensure that these groups are given appropriate proportionate support to take up preventive interventions.

Long-Term Trends in Access to Dental Care in Canada.

OBJECTIVES: Although routine dental care is essential for both oral and overall health, in Canada, access to such care is uneven. Those with low or medium income and no workplace dental coverage often face financial barriers in accessing dental care. However, the factors that affect access - income, employer-provided health benefits and public dental care subsidy programs - have changed over the decades. This study examines the net impact of these factors on long-term trends in dental care access among different groups in Canada over the past 5 decades. METHODS: Using data from 1 235 268 respondents to 20 Canadian cross-sectional surveys administered between 1972 and 2017, we estimated the proportion of people who had at least 1 consult with a dental professional over the past 12 months. Prevalence trends by region, age group, education and income level were compared. RESULTS: In each age group, the proportion of people consulting a dental professional at least annually gradually increased over the last 5 decades. During the recession of the early 1990s, a temporary drop in use occurred, particularly among younger age groups. We noted significant regional differences in use among individuals in the same age group: rates were highest in Ontario and British Columbia and lowest in Quebec and the Atlantic provinces. Marked differences in use by level of education and income persisted over the 5 decades. Dental care use was significantly higher among those with higher levels of education and higher incomes. The increase in overall rates of dental care use suggest that an increasing fraction of Canadians have higher incomes or are better educated, or both. Nevertheless, about a third of Canadians ≥ 15 years did not receive dental care in 2015. CONCLUSIONS: Given that dental care is almost wholly privately funded and displays a high degree of income-related inequity, there is an urgent need for policy action to address unequal access to dental care in Canada.

Comparison of Dental Emergencies Among U.S. Military and Civilian Personnel During Combat Operations in 2007-2009.

INTRODUCTION: Information from published studies describing dental treatment of nonmilitary personnel in a military theater of operations is sparse. The primary objective of this study is to determine the number of dental emergencies (DEs) and the types of dental treatment rendered on non-U.S. military (civilian) personnel treated by Navy dentists in 2007-2008 in Iraq and 2009 in Afghanistan. The second objective is to compare the type of DE treatment procedures provided to civilian personnel to the type of DE treatment procedures performed on U.S. military personnel. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Navy Dental Officers documented the diagnoses of unscheduled DEs. All treatment provided was described at the time of treatment using the Current Dental Terminology codes of the American Dental Association. Current Dental Terminology Code A0145 (2007 and earlier) and A0199 (2008 onward) in the patient encounter indicated a DE. This study is limited to DE occurring in (1) patient categories: U.S. civilian employees, other beneficiaries of the U.S. Government, foreign national civilian/dependents, and civilian, no government connection and (2) U.S. military service members. Chi-square analysis was performed to compare the proportion of dental treatment category procedures on civilian patients compared to those on U.S. military patients. RESULTS: During the reporting period, 308 patients were treated for DE in Afghanistan. Civilians treated accounted for 18.5% (n = 57) of all DEs. Nearly 93.0% of civilians who were treated were U.S. (DoD) civilian employees. Of the 57 civilian patients treated for DE, 61.4% of patients (n = 35) received oral surgery. There were 251 U.S. military patient encounters (81.5% of all DEs). Restorative dentistry was the most common dental procedure for military personnel DE. When comparing civilian and military patients, civilian patients are statistically more likely than military patients to receive oral surgery treatment for DE (P < .00001). In Iraq, 3,198 patients were treated for DE during the reporting period. Civilians treated accounted for 18.8% (n = 601) of all DEs. About 56.9% (n = 342) of civilians who were treated were U.S. contract employees. Of the 601 civilian patients treated for DE, 37.1% (n = 223) received oral surgery. There were 2,597 U.S. military patient DE encounters, and restorative dentistry was the most common dental procedure. When comparing civilian and U.S. military patients in Iraq, civilians are statistically less likely to have their DE treated by restorative dentistry (P < .00001) and are more likely have it treated by oral surgery/extractions (P < .00001). It is significantly more likely for civilians to have multiple categories of DE that must be treated (P< .00001). CONCLUSIONS: The primary group of civilians treated for DE in Afghanistan was U.S. civilian employees. The primary group of civilians treated for DE in Iraq were contract employees of the U.S. Government. The primary dental treatment of civilian beneficiaries in both the theaters of operation was oral surgery. This brings into question what dental fitness standards are there for primarily U.S. civilian and contract employees.

Primary care dentistry: Past, present and future.

This article examines the past, present and future of primary care dentistry. It provides a historical background of primary care dentistry and describes stages of its evolution. It further reviews the purpose and mission of contemporary primary care dentistry and outlines a vision for the development of primary care dentistry in the future. The type and extent of innovations and technological advances that have impacted - and improved - primary care dentistry revolutionising clinical activities, ranging from early computerised tomography to modern digital systems and workflows are summarised. A discussion of current scientific evidence base pertinent to primary care dentistry highlighting the need for 'effectiveness' rather than 'efficacy' studies is included in order to provide research data pertinent to the primary care dentistry setting where most dental patients receive most of their care most of the time.

Patients' perspectives on the use of artificial intelligence in dentistry: a regional survey.

The use of artificial intelligence (AI) in dentistry is rapidly evolving and could play a major role in a variety of dental fields. This study assessed patients' perceptions and expectations regarding AI use in dentistry. An 18-item questionnaire survey focused on demographics, expectancy, accountability, trust, interaction, advantages and disadvantages was responded to by 330 patients; 265 completed questionnaires were included in this study. Frequencies and differences between age groups were analysed using a two-sided chi-squared or Fisher's exact tests with Monte Carlo approximation. Patients' perceived top three disadvantages of AI use in dentistry were (1) the impact on workforce needs (37.7%), (2) new challenges on doctor-patient relationships (36.2%) and (3) increased dental care costs (31.7%). Major expected advantages were improved diagnostic confidence (60.8%), time reduction (48.3%) and more personalised and evidencebased disease management (43.0%). Most patients expected AI to be part of the dental workflow in 1-5 (42.3%) or 5-10 (46.8%) years. Older patients (> 35 years) expected higher AI performance standards than younger patients (18-35 years) (p < 0.05). Overall, patients showed a positive attitude towards AI in dentistry. Understanding patients' perceptions may allow professionals to shape AI-driven dentistry in the future.

[Innovative methods and developments in oral care. 3D planning in oral and maxillofacial surgery]. / Serie: Innovatieve technieken en ontwikkelingen in de mondzorg. 3D-planning in de mka-chirurgie.

With the use of cone beam computed tomography, intraoral scanning and 3D stereophotogrammetry, a virtual 3D head model of a patient can be reconstructed with image fusion. In this way, the malposition, deficiency and other anomalies at the level of bone, dentition and soft tissue can be quantified objectively. The desired position of the dentition, occlusion and soft tissue in the facial profile can be virtually drawn in and used as a guideline for treatment planning. Based on the principle of backward planning, it is possible to determine what repositioning of the jaw is required, where there is a need for bone augmentation and how many dental implants are necessary to obtain the desired treatment outcome. From this perspective, 3D treatment planning has become a treatment standard for the 4 clinical pillars supporting oral and maxillofacial surgery, specifically orthognathic surgery, implantology, craniofacial surgery and head & neck oncology. 3D planning has influenced today's workflow, planning of complex surgery and contributed to useful further innovations and efficient healthcare.

Série temporal da produção odontológica no Sistema Único de Saúde, Brasil, 2008-2018 / Serie temporal de producción dental en el Sistema Único de Salud de Brasil, 2008-2018 / Time series of the production of dental procedures in the Brazilian National Health System, Brazil, 2008-2018

Objetivo: Analisar a realização de procedimentos odontológicos pelo Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS), no Brasil e suas regiões geopolíticas, entre 2008 e 2018. Métodos: Estudo de série temporal, com dados do Sistema de Informações Ambulatoriais dos SUS. Foram calculadas taxas anuais de procedimentos odontológicos (por 100 mil habitantes), globais e por categorias de procedimentos e regiões. Utilizou-se a regressão de Prais-Winsten para analisar as tendências temporais e foram calculadas variações percentuais anuais (VPA). Resultados: Tendências decrescentes foram encontradas para o Brasil, em ações coletivas (VPA= -13,5%; IC95% -21,1;-5,2), ações preventivas individuais (VPA= -6,2%; - IC95% -7,7;-4,8), restaurações (VPA= -7,3%; IC95% -10,5;-3,9) e exodontias (VPA= -6,9; IC95% -10,5;-3,1). Endodontia e periodontia apresentaram tendências estacionárias para a maioria das regiões e o Brasil. Procedimentos protéticos apresentaram tendência ascendente em todas as regiões e no Brasil (VPA= 16,9%; IC95% 9,1;25,2). Conclusão: A produção odontológica no SUS apresentou decréscimo no período 2008-2018; à exceção de procedimentos protéticos, cuja produção aumentou.

Objetivo: Analizar el desempeño de procedimientos dentales en el Sistema Único de Salud (SUS) en Brasil y regiones, 2008 - 2018. Métodos: Estudio de series temporales con datos del Sistema de Información Ambulatoria. Se calcularon tasas anuales de procedimientos dentales por 100 mil habitantes, globales y según categorías de procedimientos y regiones brasileñas de 2008 a 2018. Se utilizó la regresión de Prais-Winsten para analizar tendencias temporales y se calcularon los cambios porcentuales anuales. Resultados: Hubo tendencia decreciente en Brasil para acciones colectivas -13,5%; IC95% -21,1;-5,2), acciones preventivas individuales (-6,2%; IC95% -7,7;-4,8), restauraciones (-7,3%; IC95% -10,5;-3,9) y extracciones (-6,9; IC95% -10,5;-3,1%). Endodoncia y periodoncia mostraron tendencias estacionarias para la mayoría de las regiones y Brasil. Procedimientos protésicos mostraron tendencia ascendente en todas las regiones y Brasil (16,9%; IC95% 9,1;25,2). Conclusión: La producción dental en el SUS disminuyó entre 2008 y 2018, a excepción de los procedimientos protésicos cuya producción aumentó.

Objective: To analyze dental procedures provided by the Brazilian National Health System (SUS) in Brazil and its macro-regions, between 2008 and 2018. Methods: This was a time series study using data from SUS Outpatient Information System. Annual and overall rates of dental procedures (per 100,000 inhabitants), according to the categories of dental procedures and regions were calculated. Prais-Winsten regression was used to analyze time trends, while annual percentage change (APC) was calculated. Results: Decreasing trends were found in Brazil, in collective measures (APC= -13.5%; 95%CI -21.1;-5.2), individual preventive measures (APC= -6.2%; 95%CI -7.7;-4.8), dental restoration (APC= -7.3%; 95%CI -10.5;-3.9) and tooth extraction procedures (APC= -6.9; 95%CI -10,5;-3,1). Endodontics and periodontics showed stationary trend in most regions and Brazil. Prosthetic procedures showed an upward trend in all regions and Brazil (APC= 16.9%; 95%CI 9.1;25.2). Conclusion: Dental procedures in the SUS decreased between 2008-2018; with the exception of prosthetic procedures, which showed a rising trend.

Dental Trauma in Children with Autistic Disorder: A Retrospective Study.

BACKGROUND: The oral health care of autistic children is elaborated; they often fail to define dental problems, and a family-centered approach can be useful to improve and intercept these disorders. AIM: To assess the oral status of autistic children, comparing it with no autistic patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study analyzed the oral health status of 70 children, 35 with autism and 35 without the disorder. Conditions assessed were dental trauma type, periodontal tissue injuries, soft tissue lip injuries, different treatments carried out, associated soft tissue findings and disorders, and the long-term management. All patients (≤15 years of age) were chosen consecutively. RESULTS: Females (57%) suffered more traumatic injuries than males (43%) in the autistic group, whereas males affected by dental trauma (54%) are predominant in the control group. The enamel fracture was the main finding among the dental trauma types in both groups followed by enamel/dentin/pulp fracture (31%), root fracture (11%), and avulsions (3%) in the autistic group and by avulsions (20%), root fracture (11%), and enamel/dentin/pulp fracture (6%) in the control group. The comparison of all variables of the two groups showed a statistically significant difference (P < 0.012). The lower lip was statistically more injured than the upper lip (P < 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: The composite restorative technique was the most common approach carried out; the long-term evaluation, when possible, was predominantly managed through root canal therapy in the control group (81%), and root canal therapy (50%) and tooth extraction (50%) in the sample group.

Dental Therapists in the United States: Health Equity, Advancing.

BACKGROUND: Dental therapists (DTs) are primary care dental providers, used globally, and were introduced in the United States (US) in 2005. DTs have now been adopted in 13 states and several Tribal nations. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study is to qualitatively examine the drivers and outcomes of the US dental therapy movement through a health equity lens, including community engagement, implementation and dissemination, and access to oral health care. METHODS: The study compiled a comprehensive document library on the dental therapy movement including literature, grant documents, media and press, and gray literature. Key stakeholder interviews were conducted across the spectrum of engagement in the movement. Dedoose software was used for qualitative coding. Themes were assessed within a holistic model of oral health equity. FINDINGS: Health equity is a driving force for dental therapy adoption. Community engagement has been evident in diverse statewide coalitions. National accreditation standards for education programs that can be deployed in 3 years without an advanced degree reduces educational barriers for improving workforce diversity. Safe, high-quality care, improvements in access, and patient acceptability have been well documented for DTs in practice. CONCLUSION: Having firmly taken root politically, the impact of the dental therapy movement in the US, and the long-term health impacts, will depend on the path of implementation and a sustained commitment to the health equity principle.

Trends in Health Care Utilization and Expenditures in the United States Across 5 Decades: 1977-2017.

BACKGROUND: Health care expenditures in the United States are high and rising, with significant increases over the decades. The delivery, organization, and financing of the health care system has evolved over time due to technological innovation, policy changes, patient preferences, altering payment mechanisms, shifting demographics, and other factors. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to examine trends over time in health care utilization and expenditures in the United States. RESEARCH DESIGN: This analysis employs descriptive statistics to examine 5 decades of health care utilization and expenditure data from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) for 1977-2017. MEASURES: Measures include utilization and expenditures (not charges) for inpatient, emergency department, outpatient physician, outpatient nonphysician, office-based physician, dental, and out-of-pocket retail prescription drugs. RESULTS: We demonstrate that while health care expenditures have increased significantly overall and by type of care, utilization trends are less pronounced. The population of the United States grew 53% between 1977 and 2017, while annual total expenditures on health care increased by 208%. Amidst attention to out-of-pocket exposure for unexpected medical care bills, out-of-pocket payments for care have declined from 32% in 1977 to 12% in 2017 but increased in amount. CONCLUSIONS: This article provides the first extended snapshot of the dynamics of health care utilization and expenditures in the United States. Aspects of health care are much different today than in previous decades, yet the inpatient setting still dominates the expenditures.

COVID-19: Exploring the Repercussions on Federally Qualified Health Center Service Delivery and Quality.

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought about a precipitous transformation in health care delivery in the nation's safety-net, primary care system of federally qualified health centers (FQHCs). This study uses electronic health record data to quantify the extent of changes to visit volume in 36 FQHCs across 19 states as well as changes in quality metrics. We found a steep decline in in-person visits in March 2020 accompanied by a sharp increase in telehealth visits; however, combined volume remained 23% below pre-pandemic levels. The implications for public health are significant, as preventive and chronic care deferral could lead to exacerbations of health disparities. Our examination of the impact on quality measures suggests that gaps in care are already emerging. Services that cannot be readily performed virtually are most affected. As FQHC visit numbers recover, concerted efforts are needed to encourage access and re-engage at-risk groups that fell out of care.

Evaluation of Dental Practices Changes During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Brazil.

Dentists are healthcare professionals who are at high risk of infection and transmission of the coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19). The primary objective of the present study was to evaluate the changes in clinical practice made by Brazilian dentists during the COVID-19 pandemic. From June 22 to July 13, 2020, an online questionnaire was sent to dentists using Google Forms. After providing consent, 1,178 dentists answered questions regarding their knowledge and clinical experiences related to COVID-19. Data were analyzed using Chi-square, Fisher's exact, or Kruskal-Wallis tests, with a significance level of 5%. Brazilian dentists significantly changed their routine dental practices. Biosafety measures were added in their offices by 98% of the dentists, increasing operating costs for 88.3% of dentists. Greater discomfort due to the increase in personal protection equipment (PPE) worn during the pandemic was reported by 58.6%. Furthermore, 84.2% reduced heir hours of service. It was found that the dentists decreased their workload, used additional PPE, and took additional biosafety measures.

Repercussões da epidemia de COVID-19 nos atendimentos odontológicos de urgência do Sistema Único de Saúde em Piracicaba, 2020 / Repercusiones de la epidemia de COVID-19 en la atención odontológica de emergencia del Sistema Único de Salud en Piracicaba, Brasil, 2020 / Repercussions of the COVID-19 epidemic on Brazilian National Health System urgent dental care in Piracicaba, Brazil, 2020

Objetivo: Avaliar as repercussões da pandemia de COVID-19 nos procedimentos realizados por um serviço público odontológico de urgência (SPOU). Métodos: Estudo transversal, utilizando-se dados do SPOU de Piracicaba, SP, Brasil, relativos a dois períodos, anterior (fevereiro e março de 2020) e durante a pandemia (março e abril de 2020). Diferenças no perfil de atendimentos, entre os períodos pré-COVID-19 e COVID-19 selecionados, de acordo com sexo, idade e procedimentos odontológicos, foram analisadas pelo teste qui-quadrado de Pearson. Também foi calculado o tamanho do efeito Cramer's V. Resultados: Houve redução de 51% no número de atendimentos, entre o período anterior (n=824) e o período da pandemia de COVID-19 observado (n=404). O percentual de exodontias reduziu-se, de 14,7 para 8,9%, enquanto o de selamento provisório de cavidades aumentou de 22,9 para 33,2%, entre ambos períodos. Conclusão: A pandemia de COVID-19 repercutiu na quantidade e no padrão de procedimentos realizados pelo serviço odontológico de urgência do município.

Objetivo: Evaluar el impacto de la pandemia COVID-19 en los procedimientos realizados por un servicio de odontología pública de emergencia (SOPE). Métodos: Estudio transversal, utilizando datos del SOPE de Piracicaba, SP, Brasil, para los períodos anteriores (febrero y marzo 2020) y durante la pandemia (marzo y abril 2020). Las diferencias en el perfil de atención entre los períodos Pre-COVID-19 y COVID-19, según sexo, edad y procedimientos dentales, se analizaron mediante la prueba Chi-cuadrado de Pearson. También se calculó el tamaño del efecto de Cramer V. Resultados: Hubo una reducción del 51% en el número de visitas entre el período anterior (n=824) y el período de la pandemia de COVID-19 (n=404). El porcentaje de extracciones se redujo del 14,7% al 8,9%, mientras que el porcentaje de sellado provisional de cavidades aumentó del 22,9% al 33,2%, entre estos períodos. Conclusión: La pandemia de COVID-19 afectó la cantidad y patrón de procedimientos realizados en el servicio de odontología de emergencia de la ciudad.

Objective: To evaluate the repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic on procedures performed by a public urgent dental care service (PUDS). Methods: This was a cross-sectional study, using data from the PUDS in Piracicaba, SP, Brazil, prior to the pandemic (February-March 2020) and during the pandemic (March-April 2020). Differences in the care profile between the pre-COVID-19 period and the COVID-19 period, according to sex, age and dental procedures were analyzed using Pearson's Chi-square test. Effect size was also measured using Cramer's V. Results: There was a 51% reduction in the number of visits between the pre-COVID-19 period (n=824) and the COVID-19 period (n=404). The percentage of extractions reduced from 14.7% to 8.9%, while the percentage of temporary cavity fillings increased from 22.9% to 33.2%, between the two periods. Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic had repercussions on the amount and pattern of procedures performed at the city's urgent dental care service.

Emergency and urgent dental visits among Medicaid enrollees from 2013 to 2017.

BACKGROUND: Better understanding of the frequency of dental emergencies and the procedures performed during those emergency visits can help providers, insurers, and policymakers understand workforce and care provision needs. METHODS: Procedures performed at an emergency dental encounter and in the encounter following that encounter are assessed. Emergency dental encounters are those with a CDT code of D0140, D0160, or D0170. Data was analyzed from the IBM Watson Medicaid Marketscan data from 2013 to 2017, a nationally representative dental and medical claims database from 13 deidentified states in the United States. RESULT: Consistently over time, about 10% of all dental encounters are due to a dental emergency. 28% of emergency dental encounters had no other procedure performed during those encounters. When other procedures were performed during the encounter, the majority were diagnostic in nature, primarily radiographs. Among patients who returned to the dentists following an emergency visit, 43% returned for more definitive dental treatment, most within 30 days. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of dental emergency encounters do not result in definitive treatment, rather patients often return to the dentist at a later date for that treatment. Where possible, dental providers could utilize teledental services to triage patients to appropriate care.

Repercusiones de la pandemia de COVID 19 en la atención odontológica, una perspectiva de los odontólogos clínicos / Implications of COVID-19 pandemic for dental care: a perspective for clinical dentists

RESUMEN: Introducción: La atención odontológica va a cambiar rotundamente debido a la pandemia de COVID-19. En el futuro cobrará mayor importancia, surgirán transformaciones rotundas y necesarias, pero mejorará. Objetivo: Conocer las perspectivas de los odontólogos clínicos peruanos sobre los cambios y repercusiones que tiene y tendrá la pandemia COVID-19 en la atención odontológica. Materiales y métodos: Estudio cualitativo con enfoque fenomenográfico que utilizó la técnica de la entrevista a profundidad a dentistas clínicos en el contexto de la cuarentena en el mes de abril de 2020 en Lima (Perú). La entrevista se efectuó de forma digital y las categorías incluyeron: rol del odontólogo, inconvenientes en la práctica asistencial, soluciones y estrategias frente a la pandemia, apreciaciones sobre las medidas del gobierno, medidas de prevención, atención odontológica en el futuro, y protocolos de atención frente a un paciente con diagnóstico de coronavirus. Resultados: Los odontólogos tienen claro que tanto la indumentaria como los equipos en el consultorio deben estar condicionados a las medidas de protección para proteger tanto al paciente como al personal de salud presente; esto incluye que los ambientes deban estar distanciados, espaciar la atención entre paciente y paciente. Conclusiones: Existe una gran preocupación en los dentistas por el cierre repentino de las clínicas dentales y aumento de personas infectadas, ya que son la primera línea de contagio al tener contacto directo con los pacientes. Los servicios dentales van a tener que adaptarse a los nuevos lineamientos y protocolos dados. Cambiará el modo de atención odontológica priorizando a las urgencias y emergencias, para aminorar la difusión de la enfermedad y lograr una atención más segura y adecuada(AU)

ABSTRACT: Introduction: Dental care is going to change dramatically due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In the future, it will become more important; resounding and necessary changes will emerge, but it will improve for good. Objective: To know the perspectives of Peruvian clinical dentists on the changes and repercussions that the COVID-19 pandemic has and will have in dental care. Materials and methods: Qualitative study with a phenomenographic approach that used the technique of in-depth interview with clinical dentists in the context of quarantine in April 2020 in Lima (Peru). The interview was carried out digitally and the categories included: role of the dentist, inconveniences in healthcare practice, solutions and strategies in the face of the pandemic, insights from government measures, prevention measures, future dental care, and protocols for care in front of a patient diagnosed with coronavirus. Results: Dentists are clear that both clothing and equipment in the office must be subject to protective measures to protect the patient and health personnel present; this includes that environments must be spaced, spacing patient-patient care. Conclusions: There is great concern among dentists over the sudden closure of dental clinics and the increase of infected people since they are on the first line of contagion when having direct contact with patients. Dental services will have to adapt to the new guidelines and protocols given. The way of dental care will change, prioritizing urgencies and emergencies to lessen the spread of the disease and achieve safer and more adequate care(AU)

Developments in oral health care in the Netherlands between 1995 and 2018.

BACKGROUND: Over the past several decades, changes in legislation and regulations have been implemented in oral health care in the Netherlands. In 1995, for example, a major transformation in the funding of oral health care was implemented, after which most oral health care for adults was no longer covered by national insurance. In 1997, the Individual Healthcare Professions Act, in which the authorizations of care providers were described, was established. The Healthcare Quality, Complaints and Disputes Act, established in 2016, concerns the accountability of professional behavior. Regulations concerning employment have changed several times since 1995. These changes have affected the work and practice situation of oral health care providers. METHODS: Data from many publicly available sources were gathered and combined with internal reports mainly derived from the Data Stations project of the Royal Dutch Dental Association. This project was established in 1995 and, since its initiation, 6716 dentists have participated an average of 6.7 times. RESULTS: Between 1995 and 2018, nearly all professional groups in oral health care increased, particularly those of dental hygienists and prevention assistants. The number of dental practices decreased, but practices got larger in terms of dental units, number of patients, and personnel. The percentage of inhabitants visiting oral health care professionals remained unchanged, but the type of care provided moved towards more prevention. Oral health care providers exploited new opportunities to enhance and express their professional behavior. CONCLUSIONS: Oral health care in the Netherlands has evolved in recent years toward more collaboration in teams, and professions have established institutions to promote the quality and safety of care. Greater emphasis has been placed on prevention of dental diseases. These processes were influenced by new legislation and regulations, demographic changes within professional groups, and other social developments.