Dental Surgical Activity in Hospitals during COVID-19: A Nationwide Observational Cohort Study

J Booth, A J Fowler, R Pearse, P Dias, Y I Wan, R Witton, T E F Abbott

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

1 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: The number of surgical extractions performed in hospitals in England remains unclear. This study reports the volume of surgical extractions conducted in hospitals and change in activity during the COVID-19 pandemic.

METHODS: We conducted a nationwide observational cohort study using Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) in England for patients undergoing surgical removal of a tooth (defined using OPSC-4 code F09) between April 1, 2015, and December 31, 2020. Procedures were stratified by age, gender, and urgency (elective or nonelective), reported using descriptive statistics, number, and percentage. We conducted post hoc modeling to predict surgical activity to December 2023. In addition, we contrasted this with aggregate national data on simple dental extraction procedures and drainage of dental abscesses in hospital as well as dental activity in general practice.

RESULTS: We identified a total of 569,938 episodes for the surgical removal of a tooth (females 57%). Of these, 493,056/569,938 (87%) were for adults and 76,882/569,938 (13%) children ≤18 years. Surgical extractions were most frequent in adult females. Elective cases accounted for 96% (n = 548,805/569,938) of procedures. The median number of procedures carried out per quarter was 27,256, dropping to 12,003 during the COVID-19 pandemic, representing a 56% reduction in activity. This amounted to around 61,058 cancelled procedures. Modeling predicts that this activity has not returned to prepandemic levels.

CONCLUSIONS: The number of surgical extractions taking place in hospitals during the pandemic fell by 56%. The true impact of this reduction is unknown, but delayed treatment increases the risk of complications, including life-threatening infections.

KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER STATEMENT: The result of this study provides an evidence-based overview of the trends relating to surgical extractions of teeth in England taking place in hospitals. This information can be used to inform service and workforce planning to meet the needs of patients requiring surgical extractions. The data also provide an insight into the oral health needs of the population in England.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)387-397
Number of pages11
JournalJDR Clinical and Translational Research
Volume9
Issue number4
Early online date3 Jan 2024
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 3 Jan 2024

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Dentistry

Keywords

  • cohort studies
  • dental public health
  • health services research
  • hospital dentistry
  • oral and maxillofacial surgery
  • oral surgery
  • Pandemics
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • England/epidemiology
  • Child, Preschool
  • Male
  • Infant
  • Young Adult
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • COVID-19/epidemiology
  • Hospitals
  • Tooth Extraction
  • Adolescent
  • Female
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Child
  • Cohort Studies

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Dental Surgical Activity in Hospitals during COVID-19: A Nationwide Observational Cohort Study'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this