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COVID-19 Lockdown: Impact on Oral Health-Related Behaviors and Practices of Portuguese and Spanish Children

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  • Ana L. Costa

    (Paediatric and Preventive Dentistry Institute, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, 3000-075 Coimbra, Portugal
    Center for Innovation and Research in Oral Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, 3000-075 Coimbra, Portugal)

  • Joana L. Pereira

    (Paediatric and Preventive Dentistry Institute, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, 3000-075 Coimbra, Portugal
    Center for Innovation and Research in Oral Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, 3000-075 Coimbra, Portugal)

  • Lara Franco

    (Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, 080195 Sant Cugat del Vallès, Spain)

  • Francisco Guinot

    (Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, 080195 Sant Cugat del Vallès, Spain)

Abstract

This study aimed to assess and compare the impact of COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns on the oral health attitudes, dietary habits and access to dental care of Portuguese and Spanish children. A cross-sectional observational study involving caregivers of 3–17-year-old children who had cohabited during a COVID-19 pandemic lockdown in Spain and Portugal was conducted. Caregivers completed an online anonymous questionnaire. Aiming groups comparison, chi-square test was used for qualitative variables. 770 surveys were obtained. Significant changes in the children’s routine were higher in Portugal ( p < 0.001). Both countries showed a large percentage of children who had between 2–3 snacks between meals ( p < 0.001) and a higher consumption of snacks was particularly noticed among Spanish children with untreated dental caries during the lockdown ( p = 0.003). Most caregivers reported children’s oral hygiene habits did not suffer noteworthy alterations ( p = 0.417), although parental supervision of toothbrushing was associated with dental attendance during the lockdown. The majority of the sample had no dental attendance during confinement. Confinement appears to have not markedly affected the oral health status and habits of the majority of these children, although an important impact of some demographic and behavioral factors upon dietary and oral care/habits was detected.

Suggested Citation

  • Ana L. Costa & Joana L. Pereira & Lara Franco & Francisco Guinot, 2022. "COVID-19 Lockdown: Impact on Oral Health-Related Behaviors and Practices of Portuguese and Spanish Children," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(23), pages 1-15, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:23:p:16004-:d:989106
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Campagnaro, Ricardo & Collet, Giulia de Oliveira & Andrade, Mariana Podadeiro de & Salles, João Pedro da Silva Lopes & Calvo Fracasso, Marina de Lourdes & Scheffel, Debora Lopes Salles & Freitas, Kari, 2020. "COVID-19 pandemic and pediatric dentistry: Fear, eating habits and parent’s oral health perceptions," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 118(C).
    2. Raffaella Docimo & Micaela Costacurta & Paola Gualtieri & Alberto Pujia & Claudia Leggeri & Alda Attinà & Giulia Cinelli & Silvia Giannattasio & Tiziana Rampello & Laura Di Renzo, 2021. "Cariogenic Risk and COVID-19 Lockdown in a Paediatric Population," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(14), pages 1-18, July.
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