Preventive dental care or dental checkups include cleaning and examining teeth for cavities or tooth decay. It is recommended that children receive regular preventive dental care to ensure that teeth are healthy and to promptly address any dental problems. However, some dental offices have changed their operations to limit the spread of COVID-19. The CS Mott Children’s Hospital National Poll on Children’s Health asked a national sample of parents about preventive dental care for their children ages 3-18 during the pandemic.
60% of parents have tried to get preventive dental care for their child since the pandemic began. In most cases parents say they got an appointment, 69% on the usual schedule and 24% after a delay. 7% of parents say they were unable to make an appointment. More parents of children with Medicaid dental coverage (15%) say they were unable to get an appointment, compared to those with private dental insurance (4%) or no coverage (5%).
40% of parents have not tried to get preventive dental care for their child since the pandemic began. Among this group, most cite reasons related to COVID: 40% do not want to risk exposure, while 23% say the dental office is closed or only sees emergency patients. Other parents say they did not call for an appointment because their child did not need dental care (23%) and/or had no dental problems (28%). Cost is the reason for 1 in 4 parents of children without dental insurance, but not for those with Medicaid or private dental coverage.
Most parents (67%) believe it is safe for their child to receive dental care at this time, while 14% believe it is not safe and 19% are not sure. A third of parents (32%) believe that COVID-19 has made it difficult to get preventive dental care for their child.
Parents report changes to improve their child’s oral health habits during the pandemic, including brushing more often (16%), flossing (11%), and using fluoride rinses (9%) and less consumption of sugary drinks (15%). Overall, 28% of parents say their child has made at least one positive change, including more parents of children with Medicaid (37%) or no dental coverage (32%) compared to private dental insurance (24%).
Better times
- 1 in 3 parents say that COVID-19 has made dental care difficult for their child.
- Children with Medicaid dental coverage had more trouble getting a preventive dental appointment.
- 1 in 4 parents say their child’s oral health habits have improved during the pandemic.
Implications
The American Pediatric Dental Association recommends that children have regular dental cleanings and exams every six months, starting with the appearance of their first tooth. Regular dental checkups provide a solid opportunity for dentists to detect and treat tooth decay before it does too much damage, apply protective treatments such as sealants and fluoride varnish, and educate parents and children about good dental hygiene.
The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted dental care across the country. To protect their patients and staff, dentists have had to adjust their office flow, acquire personal protective equipment and comply with regulations.
This Mott poll highlights the impact of this disruption: 1 in 3 parents say the pandemic has made it harder for them to get dental care for their child. Some parents have tried to keep up with their child’s regular dental checkups, only to find a long wait time for an appointment. Other parents found that the dental office was closed or limited patient visits to only emergency patients.
A challenge for parents during the pandemic has been keeping up with the many changes in hours and operations, from schools to stores to health care providers. Parents who were unable to make a dental appointment for their child should double check with their regular dentist as long wait times or patient restrictions may have changed.
Barriers to dental appointments occurred more frequently for children with Medicaid dental coverage compared to those with private dental insurance or those without dental coverage. Because many dentists do not accept Medicaid payment, it is often difficult for parents to obtain dental care for their child covered by Medicaid outside of the pandemic. Some children enrolled in Medicaid receive preventive dental services through schools or public dental clinics, but those services have been reduced during the pandemic.
This Mott poll also shows that some parents are concerned about the risk of exposure to COVID-19 during a dental visit and are delaying making an appointment for their child. Parents who are concerned about exposure to COVID should contact their child’s dentist to find out what precautions have been taken. These may include things like patient and staff screenings and temperature checks, having patients wait in their car rather than in the waiting room, and having patients use antibacterial mouthwash before cleanings and procedures.
It can be helpful for dentists to be proactive by reminding parents of the importance of regular dental checkups for children. Reminder notices and website information may describe changes to practice features so parents feel safe bringing children to their visit.
Parents also described positive changes in how their children take care of their teeth and gums at home. Good oral health habits – daily brushing and flossing, avoiding sugary drinks – are very beneficial in preventing tooth decay. Parents whose child does not receive regular dental checkups should take steps to improve daily oral health habits, especially if regular dental care is delayed or disrupted.
