The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on SUS (Universal Health System) Primary Preventive Dental Care in Brazil during the First Two Years of the Pandemic

Objective: Public health in Brazil has witnessed substantial transformations over the past four years due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed to quantify and compare the dental preventive procedures performed within the Brazilian Public Health System (SUS) during the initial two years of the COVID-19 pandemic (2020-2021) against the preceding two-year period (2018-2019), assessing the pandemic's impact on public dental health services

Methods: Data were retrospectively obtained from the Outpatient Information System (SIA/SUS) and the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE). Annual and total procedure numbers for 3 variables were established in each region. The indicators were: Educational activity/guidelines for groups in primary care, collective action of fluoride mouthwash and collective action of supervised toothbrushing. Descriptive analysis with annual percentage change (APC) was used.

Results: The preventive procedures decreased from 2018 to 2021, drastically dropping from 2020 to 2021. There was a 54% reduction in educational activity/guidelines for groups in primary care. There was a drastic reduction in the collective actions of fluoride mouthwash and supervised toothbrushing.

Conclusion: Dental preventive procedures in the SUS decreased from 2018 to 2021, but a greater decrease was observed in the first two years of the pandemic.