The Impact of COVID 19 on Oral Surgery Post-Operative Patient Complications and Communications Within the Oral Surgery Department at the Eastman Dental Hospital

Introduction: A rise in post-operative complications (POCs) was observed following the second national lockdown due to the ongoing Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. This prompted our Oral Surgery Department to investigate this to understand why this increase had occurred. Aim: To evaluate the rise in POCs at The Eastman Dental Hospital Oral Surgery Department during and after the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. Materials and methods: A two cycle audit to assess the effect of the restrictions and ease imposed by lockdown on the number of POCs reported within the department. Results: A spike in POCs was observed during the second lockdown. Following the ease of these restrictions, POCs reduced by half. Discussion: As lockdown eased, the number of patient’s contacting the department following surgical procedures significantly reduced. Did the pandemic cause patients to become more observant with regards to their post-operative site? Conclusions: COVID-19 has had a lasting effect amongst our society and healthcare professionals are seeing not only the physical detriment but also the mental effects on our patients. We must ask if the increase in our POCs be caused by underlying “health anxiety” amongst members of the general public and if so, how can it be overcome?