Impactos da pandemia da COVID-19 na Radiologia Odontológica Brasileira

Abstract

The objective of this study was to provide information on the impacts suffered by Dental Radiology in the face of recommendations for biosafety care during the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil. For this, an online questionnaire was applied, with 25 questions, including data on the training of dentists, workplaces, the profile of performance/indication of intra and extraoral radiographs before and during the pandemic, and knowledge about the digital flow of images. Means and frequencies were used to describe the data. To compare qualitative variables before and during the pandemic, the Wilxocon and McNemar tests were used. 250 dentists from four Brazilian regions participated in the research. More than half of the participants (52%) were not aware of the recommendation of the health agencies regarding the preferential indication of extraoral radiographic exams during the pandemic. Regarding the digital flow of radiographic images, 44.8% still prefer to receive their exams printed for evaluation in light boxes, despite 64% answering that they feel able to work in digital imaging software. It can be observed that, despite the periapical exam being the most requested both before and during the pandemic, the number of intraoral radiographs requested/performed was significantly higher before the pandemic. This study allowed us to know a little more about the reality of the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on Dentistry, especially with regard to imaging tests used for diagnosis and dental treatment.