A Cross-Sectional Study Assessing the Impact of the Pandemic on Decision-Making for Dental Prosthetic Treatment in Geriatric Patients

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on health care systems worldwide, resulting in significant disruptions to routine medical and dental care. Dental prosthetic treatments are vital to maintaining functional and aesthetic aspects of oral health in geriatric patients. However, the decision-making process for initiating and completing such treatments can be influenced by various factors. Aim: To assess the effect of pandemic circumstances in determining the patient’s choice of the proposed prosthodontic treatment plan and factors that influence them to not accept the proposed treatment plan. Materials and Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study randomly sampled 600 patients, assessing their acceptance of a proposed prosthodontic treatment plan during and after COVID-19. Descriptive statistics, including frequencies and percentages, were used. χ 2 tests compared explanatory variables, and cross-tabulation analysis evaluated decision-making factors influencing treatment acceptance or refusal. Results: During COVID-19, 79.3% of 300 respondents rejected the proposed treatment, while 20.7% accepted it. Post–COVID-19, 42.7% declined, and 57.4% accepted. Reasons for refusal included high costs, fear of infection, urgency for quick treatment, and dependency during COVID-19, among others, totaling 11 reasons for rejecting prosthetic treatment. Conclusions: This cross-sectional study underscores the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on geriatric patients’ decision-making regarding dental prosthetic treatment. The findings highlight the need for national health care policies that ensure accessible, affordable, and timely prosthodontic care, especially during crises. Strengthening financial support and public health initiatives can enhance treatment acceptance rates.