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ORAL HEALTH TRENDS PRE-AND POST-COVID-19 AMONG ADOLESCENTS AND YOUNG ADULTS : A STUDY AT KORNBERG SCHOOL OF DENTISTRY (2018-2023)
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2025-03
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Oral Biology
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https://doi.org/10.34944/8xtr-cc26
Abstract
This study aimed to compare the prevalence of gingivitis, tobacco use, caries risk assessment (CRA), and quality of life (QOL) among dental visits before and after the COVID-19 pandemic at a dental school. The goal was to assess how key indicators of oral health were impacted by the pandemic, providing insights into dental public health strategies post-pandemic. Data were collected from the electronic health records from 10 to 25 years of age during pre-COVID-19 (605 patients) and post-COVID-19 (713 patients) periods. Descriptive statistics and Chi-square tests were used to analyze the prevalence of gingivitis, tobacco use, CRA, and QOL scores. Separate multiple regression models were run for pre- and post-COVID-19 time periods to determine predictors of tobacco use. The prevalence of gingivitis increased significantly, from zero at pre-COVID-19 to 11.1% at post-COVID-19 (p < 0.001). Tobacco use frequency decreased slightly from pre-COVID 19 (10.9%) to post-COVID-19 (8.3%) time periods (p > 0.05), but it was not statistically significant. CRA levels at pre-COVID-19 (High = 52.1%, Moderate = 33.9%, Low = 14%) and post-COVID-19 (High = 53.7%, Moderate = 32.7%, Low = 13.6%) remained stable (p > 0.05). The multiple regression findings on tobacco use as outcome variable showed that males both at pre-COVID-19 and post-COVID-19 time periods were 2.69 and 2.36 more likely to use tobacco, respectively (P<0.05). The findings underscore the need for continued oral health monitoring and tailored public health interventions among adolescents and young adults to address the effects of the pandemic on dental health.
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