Atención odontológica en adultos mayores durante el brote de Covid – 19 en el Distrito de Salud 03D01. Azogues-Ecuador

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To determine the dental care characteristics among older adults during the COVID-19 outbreak in Health District 03D01. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A quantitative, observational, retrospective study was conducted to analyze the dental care of older adults in Health District 03D01 in Cañar province from March to December 2020. RESULTS: Statistical data analysis revealed that dental care for older adults increased in November (16.51%) and December (18.98%), with both months showing similar attendance frequency. The majority of patients belonged to the mestizo ethnic group (96.8%), and women represented the majority of patients (51.6%). Patients from rural areas accounted for 61.3% of the total, while those from urban area made up 58.5%. Intramural care was predominant (83.9%). The predominant CIE-10 group was the 8 of dental examination (69.7%) and the category 3 of diseases of the pulp and periapical tissues (25.8%) CONCLUSIONS: Dental care during the isolation phase started with a minority of patients but improved throughout the year, reaching its highest numbers in December. Urban areas had a higher prevalence during this period, especially women who usually came for an intramural dental examination because of pain or simply prevention.