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191 - The Effect of the Covid-19 Pandemic on OR Wait Times

Friday, May 22, 2026
4:20 PM - 4:35 PM PST
Has Audio

    Presenting Author(s)

  • Minjung Kim, DMD, MS

    Pediatric Dental Resident
    University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine/Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
    Penn Dental Medicine/Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
    Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States

    • Co-Author(s)

  • LY

    Lauren C. Yap, DMD, MPH

    Assistant Program Director for Postdoctoral Pediatric Dentistry Program
    University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine
    Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States

    • Research Mentor(s)

  • LY

    Lauren C. Yap, DMD, MPH

    Assistant Program Director for Postdoctoral Pediatric Dentistry Program
    University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine
    Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States

    • Program Director(s)

  • AO

    Alina N. O'Brien, DDS, MSEd

    Program Director
    University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine
    Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States

Abstract:

Purpose:
The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted healthcare delivery, including access to pediatric dental rehabilitation provided under general anesthesia. This study examined changes in access to operating room–based pediatric dental care by comparing wait-times and appointment disruptions before, during, and after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods:
A retrospective review was conducted of pediatric patients scheduled for dental rehabilitation in the operating room at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Patients were categorized into pre-COVID (2018-2020), during COVID (2020-2023), and post-COVID (2023-2025) periods. Outcomes included wait-time from consultation to operating room date and frequency of rescheduled or cancelled appointments. Mean wait-times were compared using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with Tukey post-hoc testing.

Results:
Mean wait-times increased from 117.5 days in the pre-COVID period to 184.3 days during COVID and 219.8 days in the post-COVID period. ANOVA testing demonstrated a statistically significant difference in wait-times across the periods (P=.025). Tukey post-hoc analysis showed significantly longer wait-times in the post-COVID period compared with the pre-COVID period (P=.019), and no statistically significant differences for the pre- and post-COVID period compared to the during COVID period. The proportion of patients experiencing appointment rescheduling or cancellation decreased from 38% pre-COVID to 16% post-COVID.

Conclusions:
Wait-times for pediatric dental rehabilitation in the operating room increased during the COVID-19 pandemic and remained significantly prolonged in the post-COVID period compared with pre-COVID levels. These findings indicate persistent barriers to timely access for pediatric dental care delivered under general anesthesia and the impact of the COVID pandemic on timely treatment.

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