Analysis of Dental Care Indicators for Children Based on Data From the Pediatric Dental Clinic of Poltava City

Abstract

In the period from 2020 to 2023, the dental care system in Ukraine underwent significant changes considering the effects of healthcare reforms, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the ongoing conflict. The objective of this article is to assess the changes in the provision of general dental care at the Pediatric Dental Polyclinic in Poltava City over the past five years based on a retrospective analysis of statistical reports from 2019 to 2023. In 2019, emergency dental care accounted 9.69% of all visits. Complicated caries of permanent teeth was found in 2.28% of filled teeth, with light-cured resin fillings representing 29.52% of them. Periodontal diseases were detected in 0.62% of visits. Preventive examinations comprises a significant portion of visits, 86.43% of visits; 94.66% of children who needed dental sanitation received full treatment. Preventive measures including fissure sealing, remineralizing therapy, and supervised tooth brushing played a significant role in these outcomes. In 2020, the number of visits dramatically decreased, but the share of emergency dental care increased to 11.65%, compared to 2019 (p < 0.0001). The number of filled teeth decreased, while the percentage of complicated caries of permanent teeth increased to 4.09% (p < 0.0001). The proportion of fillings made of light-cured resins rose to 40.19%, representing a 1.36-fold increase (p < 0.0001). Preventive examinations accounted for 26.47% of visits, and 88.47% of examined children in need of dental sanitation were fully treated. However, the share of preventive measures and the number of visits for children with periodontal disease dropped. In 2021, the number of preventive examinations increased to 49.49% of visits. The percentage of complicated caries of permanent teeth in the filling structure rose to 4.93% compared to 2020 (p < 0.0001). The share of fillings made of light-cured resins reached 51.19%, and the rate of children receiving treatment under anesthesia increased (p < 0.0001). Indicators of preventive measures, which received less attention during quarantine, continued to decline. In 2022, complicated caries of permanent teeth constituted 4.96% of fillings that was higher than in 2021 (p < 0.0001). The proportion of preventive examinations significantly decreased to 33.45% (p < 0.0001), and the percentage of treated children among those who needed treatment dropped to 77.5%. Pedodontists started paying more attention to periodontal disease, preventive care, and treatment under anesthesia, which increased significantly. In 2023, the share of complicated caries of permanent teeth increased to 5.53% (p < 0.0001). The number of children treated under local or general anesthesia increased by 2.5 times. The number of visits for children with periodontal disease and indicators of preventive measures also increased (p < 0.001). In 2023, the share of preventive examinations was 36.28%, and the percentage of treated children among those who needed help decreased compared to 2022 (p < 0.0001), reaching 79.29%. The closure of school dental offices due to Covid-19 significantly reduced the number of patients in the pediatric dental polyclinic in 2020, leading to a significant decline in planned sanitation for children and preventive measures. In 2021, despite further decreases in visits, planned sanitation for children improved. In 2022, due to the treatment of internally displaced persons, the quantitative performance indicators of the polyclinic improved. From 2019 to 2023, there was an increase in the number of light-cured fillings, reflecting a trend in modern dentistry. Indicators for the treatment of periodontal disease, preventive measures, and treatment with anesthesia increased since 2022. During 2020-2023, there was a growth in the number of filled permanent teeth due to complicated caries, possibly due to budget funding for such dental aid in the polyclinic or because young patients may delay seeking medical attention. In 2023, the trend of decreasing the number of patients who were completely treated during planned sanitation was overcome. Further analysis of dental aid indicators for children is necessary for planning and funding to reduce the impact of socio-economic factors on children's health.