Adequacy of dental services in Paraná during the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

This cross-sectional study aimed to identify adjustments regarding the use of Personal Protective Equipment and the organization of the work process  in outpatient dental care in Paraná during the first  year of the COVID-19 pandemic. The convenience  sample included 1,105 oral health professionals  (dental surgeons, oral health assistants, and dental  hygienists) during the first year of the pandemic  (August to October, 2020). An online form (Google  Forms®) was sent by email by the Regional Council of Dentistry. COVID-19’s measures were compared  between the types of dental services: ‘outpatient clinic of the Unified Health System – SUS’ (Primary Care,  Dental Specialty Center, and Emergency Care), ‘private  clinic’ and ‘other services’ (Sistema S, security  forces, trade union, public and private hospitals, and  teaching clinics). Professionals from SUS outpatient  services reported more frequently: that they  suspended elective care, avoided generating  aerosols, and worked four-handed. Professionals from ‘private clinics’ used teleorientation and  telemonitoring more regularly. In the ‘other services’,  there was a more significant proportion reduction in  work hours and handpieces autoclaving after each  service. It is concluded that, despite the high  adequacy of the measures to combat COVID-19, there was a difference in professional practice among the  different types of dental services.