Oral Health Care Practices of Adolescents from Cordoba, Argentina, in the COVID-19 scenery
Abstract
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, and the measures adopted for its mitigation especially those aimed at preventive social isolation generated multi ple changes in the daily dynamics of most people's lives. Recent research by UNICEF shows that the COVID-19 crisis has had a significant impact on the mental health of adolescents and young people in Latin America and the Caribbean. Although fortunately the changes were not always negative, it was found that a significant proportion of this group felt less motivated to carry out their usual activities. In this context, we can consider the possibility of changes in health care practices that may have a negative impact on the current and future oral health status of adolescents. Aim: To understand behaviors related to adolescent health care practices in the context of COVID-19.
Material and Methods: The study population consisted of 31 adolescents (10 males and 21 females), who attended for emergency (n=14) and orthodontic treatment control (n=17), at the Dentistry Service of the San Roque Hospital, in the city of Cordoba, Argentina, during the months of April and May 2021. During the pandemic, a self-administered survey was applied to identify oral health-related practices.
Results: The mean age of adolescents surveyed was 16.84 years and 29.03% had COVID-19. The reason for consultation of 47% of the participants was for emergency (pain), and 53% for an orthodontic check-up. Of the participants, 96.66% used a toothbrush, 29.03% used dental floss and 93.55% used toothpaste. During the pandemic, 33.33% of adolescents increased the frequency of brushing; 53.33% changed eating habits, 35% consumed more cariogenic foods; 19.35% started drinking alcohol; 26% could not continue their studies and 19.35% worked before and during the pandemic.
Conclusions: Although our results do not allow us to assert that the COVID-19 pandemic has produced substantial modifications in relation to oral health practices, they do show changes in habits that alert us to the need for different health promotion actions aimed at this age group.
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