Preventive
Persiah Bakhtiari, DDS
Pediatric Dental Resident
Boston University, Boston, MA
Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine
Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Christine Chiao, MPH, DMD
Clinical Assistant Professor
Boston University Henry Goldman School of Dental Medicine
Boston University Goldman School of Dental Medicine
Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Keri Discepolo, DDS, MPH
Post Graduate Program Director of Pediatric Dentistry
Boston University Henry Goldman School of Dental Medicine
Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Keri Discepolo, DDS, MPH
Post Graduate Program Director of Pediatric Dentistry
Boston University Henry Goldman School of Dental Medicine
Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Christine Chiao, MPH, DMD
Clinical Assistant Professor
Boston University Henry Goldman School of Dental Medicine
Boston University Goldman School of Dental Medicine
Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Purpose: The purpose of this project was to explore the effects COVID-19 related lack of access to dental care, changes in oral hygiene and parental supervision, on children’s oral health by comparing factors related to children’s oral health care before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Methods: The study included a retrospective chart study and a survey. The subjects were patients who are established patients of record at Boston Medical Center who ranged from 1 to 18 years old and needed to have had at least one recall appointment “prior to Covid-19 pandemic” (1/1/2019 to 3/16/2020) and one recall appointment "during Covid-19 pandemic" (3/16/2020 to 3/16/2021). Variables gathered from the subject’s electronic health record include the following: caries risk assessment, diet, oral hygiene habits, plaque presence, calculus presence, and gingivitis presence. A 16-question survey collected information on parental supervision, dietary habits, and brushing habits.
Results: 78 subjects were eligible and completed surveys. Parents present at home was associated with decreased likelihood of having hygiene habits changed (P < .05).Among those with parents not at home 41% of children had worsened oral hygiene. The majority (61%) of children whose parents who were present at home had no change in hygiene habits. Children whose parents were not home had 2.4x the odds of worsened hygiene compared to those with parents at home.
Conclusion: COVID-19 pandemic may have led to changes in oral hygiene habits. Therefore, there should be continued emphasis on oral hygiene instructions during dental visits.