Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on the Iranian Dentists’ Practice Patterns

Background: The practice scheme of dentists during the coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) pandemic changed markedly around the world. The impacts of these changes on the economic concerns of dentists and the oral health of their patients have been the focus of some recent studies. This study aimed to assess probable alterations in the practice and patient mix of general dentists (GDs) and dental specialists in Isfahan, Iran during the COVID-19 outbreak. Methods: This analytic cross-sectional study was performed among dentists during the COVID-19 pandemic (April-June 2021). A specific self-administrated questionnaire was designed, the validity and reliability of which were verified by calculating the content validity index and intra-class coefficients (test-re-test techniques), respectively. The questionnaire had 21 items in four sections, including demographic and work characteristics, probable changes in the practice scheme, composition of patients, and the type of the provided treatments. The collected data were analyzed using the SPSS software, descriptive and analytical analysis, including t-test, Chi-square, and ANOVA (α= 0.05). Results: Overall, 152 general (response rate= 88%) and 171 specialist dentists were recruited, of whom 206 (63.8%) were males. In addition, 74% of the dentists, especially prosthodontists and restorative specialists, reduced the number of patients per working day (P<0.001). Further, 68.5% reported a decrease in the number of their elderly patients. Based on the results, 77% of the dentists reported an increase in tooth decay and hopeless teeth. Although extraction, emergency treatments, and extensive restorations were increased, prophylactic treatments and follow-ups represented a decline. The highest concern was reported to be about family health (7 out of 10). Finally, prosthodontists, endodontists, and surgery specialists reported the least use of these facilities (P<0.001). Conclusions: An increase in the number of hopeless and decayed teeth, as well as an increase in emergency treatments (pain and abscesses) and a decrease in preventive care, confirms an untoward change in the dental practice pattern during the pandemic.