A new study from the American Dental Education Association found that dental school clinics saw a decrease in patients, revenue and off-campus community care during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, the association said Nov. 10.
The association surveyed 67 U.S. dental schools on the effects of the first eight months of the pandemic on their clinical operations. The survey had a 67 percent response rate.
Researchers found that the schools saw a 50 percent decrease in patient visits, a 42 percent decline in revenue and a 92 percent suspension rate of community-based patient care experiences outside their clinics.
Fifty-four percent of dental schools also suspended recruitment of clinical faculty and staff. Schools also reported a higher percentage of layoffs, furloughs and resignations among clinical faculty and staff compared to nonclinical faculty and staff.
Researchers said the study, which will be published in the Journal of Dental Education in December, provides insight into the effects of COVID-19 on dental school clinics and how well schools are recovering as the pandemic continues.