Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Oral Health Perception, Hygiene Behaviors, and Oral Health-Related Quality of Life in Myanmar.

Abstract

Background and aims: The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted various aspects of daily life, including oral health. However, limited research has explored the effects of the pandemic on oral health perceptions, hygiene behaviors, and their subsequent influence on oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) in underserved settings. This study aims to assess changes in oral health perceptions and behaviors during the pandemic and their impact on OHRQoL in Myanmar.

Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2023 at a township health center in Yangon, Myanmar. A total of 158 participants were included in the study. Clinical oral assessments were performed alongside face-to-face interviews, which collected data on sociodemographic characteristics, oral health perceptions and behaviors, psychological factors, and OHRQoL. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, Mann-Whitney U tests, Kruskal-Wallis tests, and regression analyses were used to explore associations and predictors of OHRQoL.

Results: Among the 158 participants, 30.4% reported a decline in oral health perception, and 27.8% reported negative changes in oral hygiene behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic. These changes were significantly associated with a history of COVID-19 infection, depressive symptoms, and bleeding on probing during oral examinations. Regression analysis revealed that worsened oral health perception (B = -2.59; 95% confidence interval [CI] = -5.00, -0.18) and negative changes in hygiene behaviors (B = -2.27; 95% CI = -4.57, -0.02) were associated with poorer OHRQoL. However, these associations became nonsignificant after adjusting for confounding factors. Notably, a history of COVID-19 infection requiring hospitalization remained a statistically significant predictor of poorer OHRQoL in all models.

Conclusions: A significant proportion of participants reported worsened oral health perception and negative changes in oral hygiene behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic, which contributed to a decline in OHRQoL. However, the influence of other confounding factors, such as psychological and socioeconomic variables, needs to be carefully considered. Clinically, these findings highlight the importance of integrating psychological support and targeted oral health interventions in the post-pandemic recovery phase, particularly in underserved settings. Public health initiatives should address the long-term impacts of the pandemic on oral health behaviors and perceptions to improve OHRQoL in affected populations.