Mapping of health care facilities, dental visits and oral health problems in Indonesia to prevent COVID-19 transmission

Abstract

Background: One of the goals of Indonesia’s participation in sustainable development goals is to improve its health state. Efforts to achieve health improvement are increasing the availability of health care facilities so people can easily access and get treatment for dental and oral health. As we know, the first case of COVID-19 in Indonesia was found in March 2020 and all cases were spread over 34 provinces. During this pandemic situation, health care facilities and some dental treatments generating aerosols are one of the environments that can potentially transmit COVID-19 to the community. Dentists have the riskiest job because they must be less than two meters from patients. Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the distribution of health care facilities, dental visits and oral health problems to prevent increased exposure to COVID-19 by using a geographic information system to explore the distribution of regional data. Methods: This study is a secondary data analysis and used data from Indonesia Basic Health Research 2018 and Health Facility Research 2019. Data of health care facilities, dental visits and oral health problems were tabulated using MS Excel version 16.45. Spatial mapping was done using Quantum Geographic Information System Desktop version 3.18.3 based on open-source software. Results: Java Island has the highest distribution of health care facilities and receives treatment from the dentist. COVID-19 reached a peak in June–July 2021, and Java Island became the region with the highest incidence rate. Conclusion: The distribution of health care facilities and dental visits was in line with the spread of the COVID-19 virus in 34 provinces. Almost all treatments of oral health problems need a highspeed rotary instrument, which can be a source of transmission of this virus.

The Response of the Indonesian Dental Community to the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…These findings are congruent with similar recent Indonesian studies. 3 , 13 For instance, inappropriate design of the clinical practice, lack of financial assistance for retrofitting or renovation of infrastructure, and insufficiency of PPE were elements reiterated in these discussions. In addition, work overload in the form of dentists being assigned duties as COVID-19 task force officers and the delay in COVID-19 test results were other elements featured in FGDs as possible reasons for dental staff contracting COVID-19.…”

“…The WHO also outlined the detailed global surveillance and the pandemic preparedness plan for COVID-19 simultaneously. 1 , 2 , 3 , 4…”

Detection of caries and determination of treatment needs using DentMA teledentistry: A deep learning approach

“…6,7 Dental screening is an efficient and effective way to reach more than one billion children worldwide, alongside families and communities. 8,9 The first case of COVID-19 in Indonesia was reported on March 2, 2020, and cases were found throughout all 34 provinces. DKI Jakarta, DI Yogyakarta, West Java, Gorontalo, and North Sulawesi are provinces at high risk for COVID-19 infection.…”

“…DKI Jakarta, DI Yogyakarta, West Java, Gorontalo, and North Sulawesi are provinces at high risk for COVID-19 infection. 9 In the COVID-19 pandemic era, many patients with various diseases could not obtain the health services they needed. Therefore, to facilitate patient access such that they could continue receiving health services, dentists provided consulting services and disease therapy as first aid through teledentistry.…”

Parents’ satisfaction with the teledentistry method during the COVID-19 pandemic: A study in Java and Bali

“…During this pandemic, to minimize the spread of infections, only 6.1% who visited the dentist received treatment for their complaints and the remaining 13.7% did online consultations. 10 According to the results of a survey conducted by Adeel in March 2020, involving many respondents from 30 countries, there was an increase in stress and anxiety due to the COVID-19 pandemic experienced by 50-70% of dentists. This could potentially impact their relationships with pediatric patients because pediatric patients require special treatment.…”