URGENT DENTAL CARE DURING ITALIAN LOCKDOWN: A CROSS-SECTIONAL SURVEY.

INTRODUCTION On March 9, 2020, the Italian Government imposed a nationwide lockdown to contain the spread of the COVID-19. Oral health services were limited to only essential services. Non-urgent treatments were postponed. This study described the management of urgent dental care in northern Italy during the lockdown, with a particular focus on the Province of Brescia. METHODS A cross-sectional survey was administered to Italian dentists at the end of the lockdown (May 3, 2020). A total of 1,407 dentists answered the survey. RESULTS A total of 1,205 dentists were included. Most of the respondents were dental owners (73.6%). About 79.7% of the dentists handled urgencies during the lockdown. The number of urgencies treated weekly was lower than that generally handled before the COVID-19 outbreak (p < 0.001). Many dentists (81.2%) provided telephone consultations to evaluate symptoms. Pulpitis and abscesses were the most common urgencies (44.7% and 40.2%, respectively). Furthermore, 95% of dentists wore masks, protective eyewear, and surgical gloves while delivering non-postponable treatments. The FFP2 mask was used by 41.8% and 41.7% of owners and dental assistants respectively. Financial concerns, risk of contagion, and PPE supply were indicated as the main current concerns. CONCLUSIONS Our survey showed that Italian dentists took protective measures during the lockdown, thus minimizing risk of contagion for dental healthcare personnel and patients. Many precautionary guidelines are now available, but a high uncertainty persists about dental health delivery during the pandemic.