Effect of COVID-19 on dental service delivery in Fiji: Perspective of Dental Officers (Dos) and Dental Managers (DMs)
Issued Date
2023-06-01
Resource Type
eISSN
19326203
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85164001986
Pubmed ID
37368901
Journal Title
PLoS ONE
Volume
18
Issue
6 JUNE
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
PLoS ONE Vol.18 No.6 JUNE (2023)
Suggested Citation
Kajal K., Mohammadnezhad M. Effect of COVID-19 on dental service delivery in Fiji: Perspective of Dental Officers (Dos) and Dental Managers (DMs). PLoS ONE Vol.18 No.6 JUNE (2023). doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0287886 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/20.500.14594/87999
Title
Effect of COVID-19 on dental service delivery in Fiji: Perspective of Dental Officers (Dos) and Dental Managers (DMs)
Author(s)
Author's Affiliation
Other Contributor(s)
Abstract
Background Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) was declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO) has had significant impact on dentistry in Fiji. Due to lack of previous study, this study aims to explore the perspective of Dental Officers (DOs) and Dental Managers (DMs) on the effects of COVID-19 on dental service delivery in Fiji Islands. Methods This qualitative study was conducted amongst 30 DOs and 17 DMs between 9th August to 12th September, 2021. It was conducted in the government dental clinics, private dental clinics and the School of Dentistry and Oral Health clinic (SDOH), in the Central Division, Fiji. The study settings were randomly selected. Purposive sampling method was used for the selection of participants who met the study criteria. Semi-structure open ended questionnaires were used for data collection through in-depth interviews via zoom. Manual thematic analysis of the data was conducted to derive themes and codes. Results The participants interviewed for the study included more female DOs (66.7%) and male DMs (58.8%). Seven themes emerged from data analysis: range of services delivered, appointment versus walk-in patients for aerosol generating procedures (AGPs), impact of pandemic on clinic opening hours, impact of COVID-19 on patient numbers, quality of services delivered, resources and infrastructure, perceptions about the burden of disease. Conclusion COVID-19 has significantly affected dental service delivery. Mostly emergency dental services were delivered. AGPs were delivered on appointment basis. Most participants stated the quality of services had improved. Participants stated that they were not given adequate resources and the infrastructure was not up to standard to provide dental services during the pandemic. The dental disease burden had increased during the pandemic as per the participants. Future research can be conducted amongst other dental professionals in other divisions of the country.