Department of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, University College of Medical Sciences, Delhi, India.
Indian J Dent Res. 2022 Oct-Dec;33(4):367-372. doi: 10.4103/ijdr.ijdr_136_22.
The ongoing pandemic has transformed the entire structural and functional framework of the world including the medical and dental healthcare services. The current study intends to examine the pattern of dynamically changing working conditions and orthodontic treatment delivery during the various phases of pandemic.
An online survey was conducted using Google form for orthodontic specialists practicing in India. Information regarding the impact of the pandemic on various aspects like patient turnover, treatment demand, clinical management, and new challenges faced were analysed through a self-designed close-ended questionnaire for two phases. Phase I (March 2020 to September 2020) corresponded to the onset of COVID 19 pandemic and lockdown, whereas the Phase II (October 2020 to March 2021) coincided with the time of Unlock and resumption of activities thereafter.
The parameters showing similar trend in Phases I and II included the willingness of ongoing orthodontic patients to report for appointments, choice of treatment modality, number and type of emergencies, cost of materials, guidelines for work, and duration of non-delivery of orthodontic procedures. The new patients reporting, complex orthodontic therapy, tele-consultation, and financial wellbeing showed an improvement while the usage of personal protective equipment kit, fear amongst orthodontists reduced in Phase II.
Challenging situations warrant prudent measures to combat and continue the essential services, especially those related to the healthcare. A detailed analysis of the various phases of the ongoing pandemic will enable us to devise suitable measures to ensure uninterrupted orthodontic treatment even in such critical times.
持续的大流行改变了包括医疗和牙科保健服务在内的世界的整个结构和功能框架。本研究旨在检查大流行各个阶段中工作条件和正畸治疗实施情况的动态变化模式。
使用 Google 表格对在印度执业的正畸专家进行了在线调查。通过自我设计的封闭式问卷，分析了大流行对各种方面的影响，如患者周转率、治疗需求、临床管理和新面临的挑战，该问卷分为两个阶段。第一阶段（2020 年 3 月至 2020 年 9 月）对应于 COVID-19 大流行和封锁的开始，而第二阶段（2020 年 10 月至 2021 年 3 月）与解锁和随后恢复活动的时间相对应。
在第一阶段和第二阶段中，表现出相似趋势的参数包括正在进行正畸治疗的患者愿意报到预约、治疗方式的选择、紧急情况的数量和类型、材料成本、工作指南以及正畸治疗实施的非交付持续时间。新患者就诊、复杂正畸治疗、远程咨询和财务状况得到改善，而在第二阶段，个人防护设备包的使用和正畸医生的恐惧减少。
挑战性情况需要采取谨慎措施来应对和继续提供基本服务，特别是与医疗保健相关的服务。对正在进行的大流行各个阶段的详细分析将使我们能够制定适当的措施，以确保即使在这种关键时刻也能不间断地进行正畸治疗。
