Comparison of the Frequencies of Dentistry Examinations Among Chronic Patients at High-Risk for COVID-19 Before and During the Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study

OpenAlex İngilizce

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the frequency of dental examinations among chronic patients, a high-risk group for the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19), before and during the pandemic. Material and Methods: A total of 27,757 patient records were evaluated. Patients with diabetes mellitus, hypertension, cardiovascular (DHC) diseases, chronic respiratory diseases and chronic kidney failure and transplant patients, cancer patients, pregnant women and patients aged above 65 years were accepted as having risky chronic health conditions for COVID-19. However, those with at least 2 or 3 of DHC diseases were considered as a separate group. The frequencies of patient groups' dental examinations were statistically compared for the period before and during the pandemic. In addition, the frequencies of patient groups dental examinations were also compared by gender for the general population and patients over 65 years of age. Results: The frequency of dental examinations statistically significant decreased among both male and female patients, aged over 65 years and general population during the pandemic compared to before period in DHC patients (p<0.05). There was no statistically significant decrease in the frequency of dental examinations during the pandemic compared to the previous period in any disease group (except DHC) in the general male population and males over 65 years of age (p˃0.05). Conclusion: Risky patients in DHC group were more careful in dental examinations during the pandemic. Men with risky chronic conditions may not have been feel anxious about COVID- 19 when they referred to the dentist during the pandemic.