Background
Cases of COVID-19 first emerged in December 2019. Since then, the virus has spread rapidly worldwide, with daily increases in the numbers of infections and deaths. COVID-19 spreads via airborne transmission, which renders dental treatment a potential source of virus transmission. Dental treatments require the use of handpieces, ultrasonic devices, or air–water syringes, which generate considerable amounts of aerosols. Jordan, being one of the affected countries, instituted preventive lockdown measures on March 17, 2020. Emergency dental treatments were only allowed in dental clinics of the Royal Medical Services of Jordan Armed Forces and Ministry of Health, and were prohibited in other sectors such as private clinics and universities.
Objective
The aim of this study is to investigate the dental treatments performed in three military hospitals during the 44-day lockdown period in Jordan. The investigation explores the impact of COVID-19 on the number of patients and types of performed dental treatments.
Methods
Data such as number of patients, patients’ age and gender, and performed dental treatments were collected retrospectively from the hospital records and were analyzed.
Results
Our results showed a 90% (17,591 to 1689) decrease in patient visits during the lockdown period compared to regular days. The total number of treatments (n=1689) during the lockdown period varied between endodontic cases (n=877, 51.9%), extraction and other surgical cases (n=374, 22.1%), restorative cases (n=142, 8.4%), orthodontic treatments (n=4, 0.2%), and other procedures (n=292, 17.3%). The differences in gender and age group among all clinics were statistically significant (P<.001 and P=.02, respectively).
Conclusions
The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant effect on the number of patients seeking dental treatments. It also affected the types of treatments performed. Endodontic treatment accounted for almost 50% of patient load during the lockdown compared to approximately 20% during regular days.
Objective: The aims of this study were to determine the incidence of gestational gingivitis and assess oral health status in two groups of women at different stages of pregnancy. Methods: A comparative descriptive study was conducted on pregnant women attending the outpatient antenatal care clinic at Princess Haya Hospital in Aqaba from January 2010 to August 2010. Data were collected from 580 women. Two groups were created. The first group (n=260) included women at their first trimester and the second group (n=320) included women in their third trimester of pregnancy at the time of their dental examination. Data were collected from the women by face-to-face interview and intra-oral examination. The two groups were compared. Results: Gingivitis was detected in 26.8% in women examined during their first trimester of pregnancy as compared to 32.1% in women examined during their third trimester. There was no statistical significant difference in the incidence of gingivitis between trimesters. However, there was significant difference between the first and third trimester of pregnancy regarding associated calculus (p<0.0001) and the presence of malodor (p=0.006) with both being more common in later pregnancy. Oral hygiene habits and regular dental care were much better during first months of pregnancy compared to the last three months (p<0.0001). Conclusion: Our study confirms that the frequency of gingivitis during the third trimester of pregnancy is higher than during the first trimester. Further studies are needed to determine the relation of gingivitis to oral hygiene and dental care habits.
Spontaneous symptoms of burning mouth without mucosal signs should be considered as a manifestation of undermind pathology and/or distress, and the multi-factorial causes of burning mouth syndrome and sensation need to be referred to the suitable specialist for better treatment results.
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