<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

<p>This study aimed to describe the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and related public health decisions on dental services. A retrospective study was conducted using secondary data on dental services (2019–2021). Data were obtained from the Latvian National Health Service and the Centre for Disease Prevention and Control and analysed using descriptive statistics and data visualisation methods. In the first wave of COVID-19, the frequency of routine dental services decreased by 81.6% at the patient level, which coincided with the restrictions imposed as public health measures. The amount of regular dental manipulations returned to its previous level immediately after lifting restrictions. Still, they decreased to a more moderate extent (not exceeding 25% decline) with the beginning of the second wave. We observed a decrease in all manipulations, regardless of their aerosol-generating risk, and no increase in preventive manipulations that could be performed without any physical contact. We conclude that the most significant decrease in the availability of services was directly linked to existing public health measures. It seems that these measures allowed time to adapt the clinics to the new sanitary requirements, further ensuring continuity of service provision.</p>
</abstract>

This study aimed to describe the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and related public health decisions on dental services. A retrospective study was conducted using secondary data on dental services (2019–2021). Data were obtained from the Latvian National Health Service and the Centre for Disease Prevention and Control and analysed using descriptive statistics and data visualisation methods. In the first wave of COVID-19, the frequency of routine dental services decreased by 81.6% at the patient level, which coincided with the restrictions imposed as public health measures. The amount of regular dental manipulations returned to its previous level immediately after lifting restrictions. Still, they decreased to a more moderate extent (not exceeding 25% decline) with the beginning of the second wave. We observed a decrease in all manipulations, regardless of their aerosol-generating risk, and no increase in preventive manipulations that could be performed without any physical contact. We conclude that the most significant decrease in the availability of services was directly linked to existing public health measures. It seems that these measures allowed time to adapt the clinics to the new sanitary requirements, further ensuring continuity of service provision.

Effect of COVID-19 on Coverage of Dental Services in Latvia

Department of Public Health and Epidemiology

Proceedings of the Latvian Academy of Sciences. Section B. Natural, Exact, and Applied Sciences.

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

{"article-title":"Effect of COVID-19 on Coverage of Dental Services in Latvia"}

This study aimed to describe the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and related public health decisions on dental services. A retrospective study was conducted...

Effect of COVID-19 on Coverage of Dental Services in Latvia

Published Online: Mar 04, 2024

Page range: 29 - 34

Received: Oct 04, 2022

Accepted: Jan 23, 2024

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/prolas-2024-0005

Keywords
pandemic, dental care, health care utilisation, national study

© 2024 Ilze Maldupa et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Effect of COVID-19 on Coverage of Dental Services in Latvia

Published Online: Mar 04, 2024

Page range: 29 - 34

Received: Oct 04, 2022

Accepted: Jan 23, 2024

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/prolas-2024-0005

Keywordspandemic, dental care, health care utilisation, national study

© 2024 Ilze Maldupa et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Keywords
pandemic, dental care, health care utilisation, national study