A Comparative Study of Out-Patient Department (OPD) Dental Clinic Statistics before and during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Sri Lanka

Background: The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has substantially impacted global healthcare service utilization, including oral healthcare.
Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the variations in outpatient department (OPD) dental clinic utilization across Sri Lanka before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, using pre-pandemic data from to 2018-2019 and during the pandemic data from to 2020-2021.
Methods: Data were retrospectively extracted from national OPD dental clinic records maintained by the Research and Surveillance Unit of the Institute of Oral Health, Ministry of Health, Sri Lanka. Key variables included basic services provided, patient attendance, and specific demographics, such as pregnant mothers, children under three, and adolescents. Descriptive and inferential analyses were performed using Microsoft Excel and SPSS (v28). The Mann-Whitney U test was used to statistically compare service utilization before and during the pandemic.
Results: The number of patients treated per dental surgeon per month increased from 306 in 2018 to 340 in 2019, then declined significantly to 219 in 2020, and further to 166 in 2021 (p < 0.05). Consistent reductions were noted across all treatment categories, except for oral facial pain management, which showed a relatively minor decrease. The detection rates of Oral Potentially Malignant Disorders (OPMDs) per dental surgeon fell sharply from 59 in 2018 to 34 in 2021.
Conclusion: COVID-19 has resulted in a marked decline in public OPD dental service utilization, emphasizing the need for strategic interventions to bridge service gaps, enhance preventive care access, and promote early detection of OPMDs. Enhanced support for vulnerable populations, such as children and pregnant mothers, is recommended along with capacity-building initiatives for dental professionals.