COVID-19's psychological toll on oral health: A cross-sectional study in Iranian adults.

Journal: PloS one

Volume: 19

Issue: 7

Year of Publication: 2024

Affiliated Institutions:  Research Center for Caries Prevention, Dentistry Research Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Department of Community Oral Health, School of Dentistry, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Department of Psychology, Payame Noor University, Tehran, Iran. Department of Pediatric Dentistry and Dental Public Health, Faculty of Dentistry, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt.

Abstract summary 

The Coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic increased global psychological distress, emotional distress, and sleep disturbances, all known risk factors for compromised oral health. Despite this, there is limited understanding of the impacts of these psychological factors on oral health in certain populations, including Iranians. Thus, the present study investigates the associations between sociodemographic characteristics, emotional distress, sleep pattern changes, tooth brushing frequency, and oral ulcer reports in a sample of Iranian adults during the Coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.This cross-sectional, web-based study collected data from Iranian adults between July and September 2022 using respondent-driven sampling. The Mental Health and Wellness questionnaire was used to gather information on sociodemographic characteristics, emotional distress, sleep pattern changes, toothbrushing frequency, and oral ulcer reports. Simple and multiple logistic regression served for statistical analysis.Among the 240 participants, comprising 164 females and 76 males, with a mean age of 35.3 years (±13.3), 28 individuals (11.7%) reported reduced tooth brushing frequency, and 35 individuals (14.6%) reported oral ulcers. Male gender (OR = 2.75, p = 0.016) and sleep patterns changes (OR = 2.93, p = 0.01) increased the likelihood of reduced tooth brushing frequency. Additionally, being younger than 30 (OR = 2.87, p = 0.025) and fearing coronavirus transmission (OR = 3.42, p = 0.009) increased the odds of oral ulcers.Male gender and sleep pattern changes were risk factors for reduced tooth brushing frequency among the present sample of Iranian adults during the Coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. Additionally, being under 30 and fearing coronavirus transmission were identified as risk factors for oral ulcers in this population. To preserve and promote adults' oral health during public health crises, targeted educational initiatives, public health awareness campaigns, and integrated mental and oral healthcare approaches are encouraged.

Authors & Co-authors:  Karimi Mahsa M Khami Mohammad Reza MR Varmazyari Shabnam S Shamshiri Ahmad Reza AR Hormozi Mahmoud M M Aly Nourhan N Oluwátóyìn Foláyan Morẹ Nikẹ MN

Study Outcome 

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Statistics
Citations :  Zhang X, Wang Y, Lyu H, Zhang Y, Liu Y, Luo J. The Influence of COVID-19 on the Well-Being of People: Big Data Methods for Capturing the Well-Being of Working Adults and Protective Factors Nationwide. Front Psychol. 2021;12:681091. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.681091
Authors :  7
Identifiers
Doi : e0307429
SSN : 1932-6203
Study Population
Male,Females
Mesh Terms
Humans
Other Terms
Study Design
Cross Sectional Study
Study Approach
Country of Study
Publication Country
United States