VA Dental Recovery on Point with US Dental Practices
Since the beginning of the Covid-19 Pandemic, the American Dental Association’s Health Policy Institute has been tracking the impact of Covid-19 on the dental economy in the United States. They have studied trends by asking member dentists to complete a weekly survey. The survey was made up of general dentists, specialists, as well as dentists from all areas of public health. The survey tracks respondent’s reports of access to care as well as staffing coverage, PPE supplies and more. The results of the survey are published on the American Dental Association website. The latest data they have published is from the week of January 18-23, 2022, which is summarized here*:
The top challenge to economic recovery identified by the respondents is one of staffing. Nearly 70% of the dentists answering the survey indicated staffing issues as their current, most pressing challenge. These same dentists also indicated that their schedules in their practices were only 77% full. It was interesting to note that those dentists who responded to the survey, and who identified as dentists in public health settings, noted that their practices were busier as compared to private practitioners. They reported that their schedules were 85% full. The private practicing dentist indicated that patient cancellations were the reason their schedules were not full; but the dentists in public health and large group settings indicated that lack of staffing was the reason their schedules were not full, and that recruitment and hiring was extremely challenging. Dentists in those same large group and public health settings said that Covid safety protocols did not hinder them whereas the private practicing dentist indicated that Covid safety protocols were a major hindrance. A surprising finding of the most recent survey was the fact that 95% of patients are ready to visit their dentist. This surpassed all other consumer areas.
Some of the findings noted above may not be a big surprise to VA Dentists and dental clinics. The number of unique veterans seen, the number of procedures done, and the utilization of the clinic in the VA has returned to almost near pre-pandemic levels. The omicron variant has caused a recent decline in patient appointments over the past several weeks. As in the private sector, that decline is due to patients cancelling their appointments, and due to staffing issues, especially when staff must be quarantined for 1-2 weeks. However, with the decreasing trend of persons becoming ill with this latest variant, patients are again continuing to make and keep their VA Dental appointments. Overall, patients are choosing VA for their dental care and utilizing our clinics at a statistically significantly higher rate than those utilizing community dental care providers. In FY21 VA dentists completed 1.25million patient visits and 3.88 million dental procedures. This represents 77% of pre-pandemic level for patient visits and 85% of pre-pandemic level for procedures completed. FY22 is on trend to at least meet if not exceed FY21. VA Dentistry has been able to do so safely and efficiently, mitigating risks with each patient. Infection control standards in VA have changed with the changing nature of the pandemic and these changes have kept VA dental patients and staff safe. The current trends identified in the ADA survey, as seen above, translate across VA.
NAVAPD is aware that in VA, like in the private sector, staffing issues pose a major challenge. We are aware that most clinics are under-resourced. We are aware that the recruitment and hiring process is laborious and time consuming. It is NAVAPD’s opinion that VA Dentists and Dental clinics are providing world class, exceptional dental care in a very safe, efficient, and effective manner. The proof of that can be seen in the number of veterans choosing VA for their dental care. It can also be seen in the confidence those veterans have by keeping their dental appointments and following through dental care. Utilization trends across VA are following those noted by the American Dental Association in their survey of their member dentists.
NAVAPD would like Congressional lawmakers to recognize that in order for every veteran to choose VA, appropriate provider and support staffing must be in place and the recruitment and hiring of physician and dentist providers must take place in an expeditious manner.
NAVAPD would like to hear from our members, especially if they note differing trends in their dental or medical clinics. We would like to know about any staffing issues you have or issues you may have obtaining necessary supplies or PPE. If you would like to contact NAVAPD, please email us at opscoord@navapd.org
*(Full study findings can be found at ADA.org/HPI)