The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on SUS (Universal Health System) Primary Preventive Dental Care in Brazil during the First Two Years of the Pandemic
Ana Carolina CAPRIGLIONE
Department of Orthodontics. Ingá University Center, Uningá, Maringá, Brazil.
Tiago FIALHO
Department of Orthodontics. Ingá University Center, Uningá, Maringá, Brazil and Department of Orthodontics, Bauru Dental School, São Paulo University, Bauru, Brazil.
Eduardo Terumi Blatt OHIRA
Department of Orthodontics. Ingá University Center, Uningá, Maringá, Brazil.
Ana Luisa PONCE
Department of Orthodontics. Ingá University Center, Uningá, Maringá, Brazil.
Alex Luis Pozzobon PEREIRA
Department of Orthodontics, UFMA, Federal University of Maranhão, São Luiz, Ma, Brazil.
Célia Regina Maio PINZAN-VERCELINO
Department of Orthodontics. Ingá University Center, Uningá, Maringá, Brazil.
Fabricio Pinelli VALARELLI
Department of Orthodontics. Ingá University Center, Uningá, Maringá, Brazil.
Karina Maria Salvatore FREITAS
Department of Orthodontics. Ingá University Center, Uningá, Maringá, Brazil.
Paula COTRIN *
Department of Orthodontics. Ingá University Center, Uningá, Maringá, Brazil.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Objective: Public health in Brazil has witnessed substantial transformations over the past four years due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed to quantify and compare the dental preventive procedures performed within the Brazilian Public Health System (SUS) during the initial two years of the COVID-19 pandemic (2020-2021) against the preceding two-year period (2018-2019), assessing the pandemic's impact on public dental health services
Methods: Data were retrospectively obtained from the Outpatient Information System (SIA/SUS) and the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE). Annual and total procedure numbers for 3 variables were established in each region. The indicators were: Educational activity/guidelines for groups in primary care, collective action of fluoride mouthwash and collective action of supervised toothbrushing. Descriptive analysis with annual percentage change (APC) was used.
Results: The preventive procedures decreased from 2018 to 2021, drastically dropping from 2020 to 2021. There was a 54% reduction in educational activity/guidelines for groups in primary care. There was a drastic reduction in the collective actions of fluoride mouthwash and supervised toothbrushing.
Conclusion: Dental preventive procedures in the SUS decreased from 2018 to 2021, but a greater decrease was observed in the first two years of the pandemic.
Keywords: Dentistry, pandemics, COVID-19, Unified Health System, public health