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Special Report

2021 COVID IMPACT SURVEY ON DENTAL CLINICS

In October 2020 Dental Practice had conducted a first of its kind decrease nationwide and the initial fear seems to have subsided, more
nationwide survey to understand how dental professionals were being dentists have now got back to their regular schedules.
impacted by the Covid 19 pandemic. This second survey was conduct-
ed in February 2021, with the aim to evaluate the current situation and PATIENT VOLUMES SIGNIFICANTLY UP FROM OCTOBER LEVELS
how it has changed in the past 5 months. The prime objective is to One fourth of respondents shared very positive reviews in terms of
quantify the magnitude of the pandemic's impact on dental practices patient volumes and reported their patient inflow to be same or more
in India over time. A Questionnaire was created on Google forms and than pre covid levels. Almost three fourths of dentists who participat-
circulated to participants using various social media platforms. A total ed in this survey revealed that their patient volume was 50% or more
of 1120 completed surveys were received from dental clinics across the of Feb 2020 levels while for 13% respondents, the situation was still
country. The data of responses were analyzed and evaluated. bleak with less than 25% patient inflow as compared to a year back.

ALL CLINICS OPEN AND HALF BACK TO REGULAR WORKING HOURS REVENUES UP 18% IN PAST 5 MONTHS
According to the latest 2021 Dental Practice Covid 19 Impact Survey, According to 2021Dental Practice Covid 19 Impact Survey overall clin-
as of February first week 97% of the dental clinics across India were ic revenues in February first week were at about 68% as compared to
fully functional while 3% were seeing emergency patients only. Not pre covid. This signifies a jump of 18% in revenues when compared to
one clinic reported that they were closed for all patients. the October 2020 survey where average revenue stood at about 50%.
A significant 48% respondents reported that their working days and Incredibly despite the pandemic and the resulting slowdown11% clin-
hours were back to pre covid levels. This is a jump from the 20% who ics from across the country reported that their revenues were actually
had reported the same in the October survey. As covid cases begin to more than what they were a year back.

What is the current status of Working hours in February 2021 as

your dental practice? compared to February 2020

5%

32%

47%

65% 48%

3%

Open and business as usual Clinic is open all days and same hours as before
Open but patient volume is lower than pre covid times Clinic is open every day but with reduced hours
Closed and seeing emergency patients only Clinic is open only some days a week
SOURCE: DP Research Dept. ©2021
10 Dental Practice // January-February 2021 // Vol 17 No 4