Factors associated with dental clinic use by clients in Nigeria during the COVID-19 pandemic.

BACKGROUND: Nigeria, like many other countries, faced challenges in dental care provision during the COVID-19 pandemic, necessitating limited care to emergencies only. However, the impact of restricted access to dental services on oral health remains a concern, particularly with preventive maintenance care. This study aims to identify the factors associated with dental service utilization during the COVID-19 pandemic among patients attending dental clinics in Nigeria, and their sources of information about COVID-19. METHODS: This cross-sectional study recruited 500 participants who had visited dental clinics before and during the pandemic. Data were collected through telephone interviews and online questionnaires between September and December 2021. Inferential analyses were conducted using ordered logistic regression models to assess the association between the independent (awareness of emergency dental treatments, knowledge of COVID-19 transmission routes in dentistry, awareness of required preparations in dental practice settings, fear of COVID-19 infection in dental settings), and dependent (utilization of dental services during the pandemic) variables after adjusting for confounding variables (age, sex, educational status, COVID-19 vaccinations status and COVID-19 status of live-in residents). The sources of COVID-19 information by dental patients was also identified. Statistical significance was established at 95% confidence level with a p value < 0.05. RESULTS: Many participants were males (51.2%) and had tertiary education (61.6%). Fear of COVID-19 infection in dental settings was significantly associated with lower odds of utilizing dental care services during the pandemic (Adjusted Odds Ratio: -0.06, 95% Confidence Interval: -0.08, -0.01). The main sources of COVID-19 information were mass media and social networks, with only 42% receiving information from dental professionals. CONCLUSION: Fear of COVID-19 infection in dental settings significantly influenced dental service utilization during the pandemic. Strategies to address fear and improve communication channels between dental professionals and patients are essential for promoting oral health during similar crises.

Dental Health Services Response to COVID-19 in Norway.

We aimed to investigate the management of urgent dental care, the perception of risk and workplace preparedness among dental staff in Norway during the COVID-19 pandemic. An electronic questionnaire regarding the strictest confinement period in Norway (13 March-17 April 2020) was distributed to dental staff. Among the 1237 respondents, 727 (59%) treated patients, of whom 170 (14%) worked in clinics designated to treat patients suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19. Out of them 88% (143) received training and 64% (103) simulation in additional infection prevention procedures, while 27 (24%) respondents reported deviation. In total, 1051 (85%) respondents perceived that dental staff had a high risk of being infected, 1039 (84%) that their workplace handled the current situation well, 767 (62%) that their workplace had adequate infection control equipment and 507 (41%) agreed that their workplace is well equipped to handle an escalation. Before an appointment, 1182 (96%) respondents always/often inquired per phone information if a patient experienced symptoms of COVID-19, and 1104 (89%) asked about a history of travel to affected areas. Twice as many patients on average per week were treated by phone than in a clinic. A lower proportion of dental staff in high incidence counties applied additional infection prevention measures compared to low and medium incidence counties. To conclude, urgent dental health care was managed relatively well in Norway. Additional training of the dental staff in adequate infection prevention and step-by-step procedures may be needed. These results may be used to improve the dental health service's response to future outbreaks.

Using nasal cannula for sevoflurane deep sedation in emergency dental treatment

BACKGROUND: Emergency room doctors run into difficulties in treating injured pediatric patients because usually they fell into panic after trauma. In these situation, deep sedation with sevoflurane is fully recommendable method. The conventional way can interrupt common dental treatment procedure. METHODS: In the present study, nasal cannula was used for sevoflurane deep sedation in 11 dental emergency treatment. Age ranged from 0 to 3 years old (average of 1.8 years). RESULTS: Treatment duration was from 10 to 35 minutes (average of 16.7 minutes). Average duration of sedation was 25.5 minutes ranging from 15 to 45 minutes. CONCLUSIONS: It has advantages to use nasal cannula for sevoflurane deep sedation rather than conventional intubation; saves time and secures good operation field.

Using nasal cannula for sevoflurane deep sedation in emergency dental treatment.

BACKGROUND: Emergency room doctors run into difficulties in treating injured pediatric patients because usually they fell into panic after trauma. In these situation, deep sedation with sevoflurane is fully recommendable method. The conventional way can interrupt common dental treatment procedure. METHODS: In the present study, nasal cannula was used for sevoflurane deep sedation in 11 dental emergency treatment. Age ranged from 0 to 3 years old (average of 1.8 years). RESULTS: Treatment duration was from 10 to 35 minutes (average of 16.7 minutes). Average duration of sedation was 25.5 minutes ranging from 15 to 45 minutes. CONCLUSIONS: It has advantages to use nasal cannula for sevoflurane deep sedation rather than conventional intubation; saves time and secures good operation field.