Educational intervention concerning flu-like syndromes after the Covid-19 pandemic: impacts on dental indicators using an interrupted time series analysis
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Clinical Trial
Abstract: Background In Brazil, the state of emergency and the suspension of non-essential activities and non-urgent health services have led to a decline in the supply of dental services provided by the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS). To analyze the impact of an educational intervention concerning flu-like syndromes on indicators of the use of oral health services (UOHS) in Primary Health Care (PHC) after the Covid-19 pandemic. Methods Study based on a non-randomized community pilot trial with controlled analysis of interrupted time series conducted in four small municipalities in Northeastern Brazil. This intervention with oral health professionals and managers of PHC units lasted 12 months and was dichotomized into before (March 2020 to September 2022) and during (October 2022 to September 2023) the intervention. Three other municipalities with similar sociodemographic characteristics were used as negative controls (no intervention). Outcomes. Findings Training was associated with an increase of 1.01 in the proportion of RPCR per thousand inhabitants per month (Xreg = 1.01; p-value = 0.009) and a decrease of 1.28 in the proportion of RDEP per thousand inhabitants per month (Xreg = -1.28; p-value<0.001), but it produced no significant change in the proportion of RPPP (Xreg = 1.47 p-value = 0.799). One of the municipalities in the control group showed a decrease of 4.19 in proportion of RPPP per thousand inhabitants per month (Xreg = −4.19; p-value = 0.004). Interpretation Training concerning flu-like syndromes is important for the safe return of PHC health professionals to dental clinic activities in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic, helping to guarantee comprehensive and problem-solving access to health systems located in areas of social vulnerability.
Language: English
Topic: Dental Research and COVID-19
Subfield: General Dentistry
Field: Dentistry
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,000
Funders: Georgia Department of Public Health, Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior, Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico, Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa e ao Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico do Maranhão, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Universidade de Pernambuco, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, Universidade Federal do Maranhão
OpenAlex ID: W7128780255