Effect of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic on oral health of Korean adolescents

ObjectivesTo investigate the effect of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic on Korean adolescents' oral health and identify the influential factors. MethodsThe raw data from The Korea Youth Risk Behaviour Web-based Survey before (2019) and after (2020) the outbreak of COVID-19 were used in the study. Demographic characteristics and subjective general, mental, and oral health were analysed and compared between the 2 years. Further, the impact of changes in subjective mental health and the duration of indoor activity on oral health were analysed. Data were analysed using IBM SPSS Statistics, and all statistical significance was set at alpha = 0.05. The analysis was performed using the complex sample analysis module. ResultsIn 2020, compared with 2019, the proportion of adolescents who rated high on subjective academic performance, smoking, and drinking decreased (p < 0.001). However, there was no difference in the household economic status between 2020 and 2019 (p = 0.917), while subjective mental health improved. In addition, the risk of tooth fracture was 1.321 times higher after the pandemic. After the outbreak of COVID-19, adolescents who were indoors for >24 h for non-learning activities on weekends were 2.97 times more likely to have reported gingival pain and bleeding (p < 0.05). ConclusionsAfter the outbreak of COVID-19, smoking and drinking decreased in Korean adolescents, while changes occurred in their learning patterns at home, and their mental health improved. Some oral symptoms increased or showed no change.