Abstract

LEGALAMITLOA, BR; MUNZHELELE, IT; SYEBELE, K  and  MOTLOBA, PD. The impact of COVID-19 lockdown on maxillofacial related services at tertiary dental institution. S. Afr. dent. j. [online]. 2021, vol.76, n.10, pp.613-617. ISSN 0375-1562.  http://dx.doi.org/10.17159/2519-0105/2021/v76no10a5.

BACKGROUND: In the wake of the devastating COVID-19 pandemic, many countries in the world instituted various protocols to limit the spread of the disease and to reduce the burden on health care facilities. However, the unintended consequences of these restrictions included the reduction of human mobility, limited access to health care services, resulting in delayed or missed medical treatment. AIMS: The aim of the study was to assess the impact of the COVID-19 lockdown restriction on maxillofacial services. METHODOLOGY: This retrospective and descriptive study of patient's clinical records, spanned from October 2019 to August 2020.This period included the pre-lockdown (October -December 2019) and the different lockdown (levels 5,4, and 3) periods. Complete clinical patient records were included for analysis. RESULTS: The study revealed a 88%, 86%, and 45% decline in maxillofacial and oral surgery consultations during levels 5, 4 and 3 respectively. Third molar impaction related complaints such as pericoronitis, pain and sepsis were the predominant consultation motives during all levels of lockdown periods. Gender and age of patients had no impact on the consultation rates during the course of the study. CONCLUSION: The Covid-19 pandemic related lockdown restrictions affected the service provision for maxillofacial patients seen at this institution.

Keywords : Covid-19; SARS-CoV-2; pandemic; maxillofacial services.

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