This study aimed to evaluate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on dental emergencies. A systematic literature review (PubMed/Scopus) was conducted to identify studies on COVID-19 and dental abscesses, alongside a retrospective cohort study analyzing both quantitative and qualitative data from patients admitted to our hospital’s emergency department for cervico-facial abscesses of dental origin. Thirteen studies were included in the review, examining the characteristics and management of dental emergency patients in hospitals and private practices, though overall evidence was limited. The retrospective cohort included 232 consecutive patients (100 study group vs. 132 control). Findings indicated an increase in both the prevalence of dental emergencies (abscesses) and associated complications (mediastinitis, death). Access to dental care was restricted, with significant variability across regions and countries. High-risk, aerosol-generating procedures were largely avoided, and hospital stays were shortened. Male patients and those with comorbidities appeared less likely to resume regular dental visits during the post-lockdown period. Although available evidence remains limited, the COVID-19 pandemic appears to have influenced dental emergencies by reducing routine dental care availability and affecting the behaviors of both healthcare providers and patients.
