COVID-19: Impacts on oral healthcare delivery in dependent older adults

Abstract

Objectives: To evaluate the impacts of restrictions to the provision of dental services for dependent older patients due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: Data were gathered on the number of dependent older patients treated, emergency treatment provided and the revenues generated by a specialised clinic for geriatric dentistry during the current pandemic period and compared with the recorded clinical activity from the preceding year. Hypothetical projections were generated for the remainder of the current year based on the assumption that restrictions due to COVID-19 would remain.

Results: A significant decrease in the total number of dependent older patients treated was recorded during the periods of January-March 2020 (P = .026) and April-May 2020 (P = .001) when compared to 2019. According to projections, by December 2020 the clinic will be providing 81.14% less clinical activity compared to 2019 (P < .0001), including a complete cessation of domiciliary services. Despite decreases in expenditure, revenues generated by the clinic have decreased significantly due to reduced clinical activity during January-March 2020 (P = .268) and April-May 2020 (P = .010) compared to 2019, and would decline further by 899.61% by December 2020.

Conclusions: The restrictions implemented to prevent the spread of COVID-19 have resulted in a significant reduction in oral healthcare provision for dependent older adults. Within this clinic, dedicated to dependent older adults, clinical activity is projected to reduce by 81% by the end of 2020 with associated reductions in revenue generation. Given the importance of oral healthcare delivery for this patient group, this may have significant and lasting impacts.

Keywords: COVID-19; Gerodontology; economic burden; health economics; pandemic.