Other
Arash Goshtasby, DMD
Resident
Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, FL
Hollywood, Florida, United States
Julia Geaumont, DMD
Pediatric Dental Resident
Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, FL
Nova Southeastern University's College of Dental Medicine
Davie, Florida, United States
Maria Levi-Minzi, Ph. D
NSU Abraham S Fischier School of Education and School of Criminal Justice
Jennifer Chung, PhD, LMFT
Research Program Manager II
Nova Southeastern College of Dental Medicine
Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States
Oscar Padilla, DDS
Nova Southeastern College of Dental Medicine
Romer Ocanto, DDS
Nova Southeastern College of Dental Medicine
Jennifer Chung, PhD, LMFT
Research Program Manager II
Nova Southeastern College of Dental Medicine
Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States
Judith R. Chin, n/a
Pediatric Residency Program Director
Nova Southeastern College of Dental Medicine
Nova Southeastern University College of Dental Medicine
Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States
Purpose: This cross-sectional study aimed to determine the impact of COVID-19 on pediatric dental care, diet, and oral health habits.
Methods: Caregivers of patients (N=295) were surveyed on the child’s diet, the child’s oral health habits, and their attitudes toward attendance at dental appointments during the COVID-19 pandemic. Bivariate logistic regression was conducted to predict the outcome variable: caregiver willingness to take their child to the dentist during the lockdown, and significant variables (P < 0.05) were added to a multiple logistic regression model.
Results: 31.9% of caregivers believed dental clinics were more dangerous for COVID-19 transmission than public spaces. Multivariate analysis found that willingness to take the child to the dentist was significantly higher among: patients with lower cariogenic diet before pandemic (OR: 2.42 [95% CI 1.37, 4.29], P=0.00), patients needing preventive care appointments (OR: 4.61 [95% CI 2.55, 8.32], P= < 0.01), and caregivers that attended their own dental appointment (OR: 2.17 [95% CI 1.15, 4.13], P=0.02). Caregivers concerned about contracting COVID-19 at dental clinics had significantly lower odds (OR: 0.30 [95% CI 0.15, 0.60], P= < 0.00) of taking their child to appointments.
Conclusions: COVID-19 negatively impacted oral hygiene habits, diet, and attendance at dental appointments; resulting in an increase in caries risk of pediatric populations.