Browsing by Author "Rector, Julia M."

Now showing 1 - 2 of 2
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Financial Impact of COVID-19 on Dental Care for Pediatric Patients: a Dental Claims Review
    (American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, 2023-02) Rector, Julia M.; Scully, Allison C.; Yepes, Juan F.; Jones, James E.; Eckert, George; Downey, Timothy; Maupome, Gerardo; Pediatric Dentistry, School of Dentistry
    Purpose: The purpose of this study was to quantify the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on private dental insurance claims for pediatric dental care. Methods: Commercial dental insurance claims for patients in the United States ages 18 and younger were obtained and analyzed. The claims dates ranged from January 1, 2019, to August 31, 2020. Total claims paid, average paid amount per visit, and the number of visits were compared between provider specialties and patient age groups from 2019 to 2020. Results: Total paid claims and total number of visits per week were significantly lower in 2020 compared to 2019 from mid-March to mid-May (P<0.001). There were generally no differences from mid-May through August (P>0.15), except for significantly lower total paid claims and visits per week for "other" specialists in 2020 (P<0.005). The average paid amount per visit was significantly higher during the COVID shutdown period for 0-5 year-olds (P<0.001) but significantly lower for all other ages. Conclusions: Dental care was greatly reduced during the COVID shutdown period and was slower to recover for "other" specialties. Younger patients ages zero to five years had more expensive dental visits during the shutdown period.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Willingness and Ability of Dental Healthcare Workers to Work During the COVID-19 Pandemic
    (Elsevier, 2021) Scully, Allison C.; Joshi, Ajay P.; Rector, Julia M.; Eckert, George J.; Pediatric Dentistry, School of Dentistry
    Background The 2019 novel coronavirus pandemic continues to disrupt dental practice in the United States. Dental health care workers (DHCWs) play an integral role in societal health, yet little is known about their willingness and ability to work during a pandemic.background Methods DHCWs completed a survey distributed on dental specific Facebook groups for an eight-week period (May 2020-June 2020) about their willingness and ability to work during the COVID-19 pandemic, barriers to working, and willingness to take a COVID-19 vaccine. Results 459 surveys were returned. Only 53% of dentists, 33% of hygienists, 29% of assistants and 48% of non-clinical staff would be able to work a normal shift during the pandemic, while even fewer (50%, 18%, 17%, 38% respectively) would be willing to work a normal shift. Barriers included caring for family, a second job and personal obligations and were faced by assistants and hygienists. Dentists were more likely than hygienists (p<0.001), assistants (p<0.001) and non-clinical staff (p=0.014) to take a COVID-19 vaccine.results Conclusions DHCWs have a decreased ability and willingness to report to work during a pandemic, with dentists being significantly more able and willing to work than hygienists and assistants. Dentists are more likely than staff to take a COVID-19 vaccine.