Impact of COVID-19 Induced Closure of Orthodontic Clinic on Clinical Outcomes

The impact of the current COVID-19 pandemic on the field of dentistry was unprecedented. The coronavirus disease 2019, or more commonly known as COVID-19, is a highly infectious disease caused by severe acute respirator syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV- 2). As of October 2022, COVID-19 has infected more than 626 million people and caused over 6.5 million deaths worldwide (WHO, 2022). In the United States, nearly 96 million people are infected and more than a million of those infected have died (WHO, 2022). To realize excellent end of treatment outcomes, continuity of care is critical. In this study we assessed the impact of COVID-19 pandemic induced closure of a university-based orthodontics clinic on clinical outcomes. The orthodontics clinic was closed for 3 months to all elective procedures and only open for patients requiring urgent and emergency procedures. We examined orthodontic patient records during the 3-month closure and 1 month following reopening of clinic. A retrospective qualitative analysis of electronic health record narratives was conducted. A total of 643 patient encounters were evaluated. The common themes of adverse events identified included: poking wire, broken brackets or bands, broken or bent appliances, delayed multidisciplinary procedures, overexpansion, undesirable tooth movement, poor treatment compliance, poor oral hygiene, Invisalign related issues, relapse or other retention related issues, and sensitivity, pain, swelling, and irritation. The study yielded information that is of immediate need to orthodontists and for future management of natural disasters.