Analysis of the impact of social isolation due to COVID-19 on the oral health of school children in the city of Bauru

• Grant number: 21/00039-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Effective date (Start): October 01, 2021
• Effective date (End): March 31, 2023
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Dentistry - Pediatric Dentistry
• Principal Investigator: Daniela Rios Honório
• Grantee: Isabella Claro Grizzo
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Odontologia de Bauru (FOB). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Bauru , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The emergency contingency measure found with the emergence and rapid spread of the new corona virus was social isolation. Associated to the isolation,several measures were implemented, activities were cut and changes in the population's routine were made. In addition, the virus had an impact on the world economy, causing an increase in unemployment rates and consequently poverty. With an increase in poverty, the withdrawal of children from schools,discontinuance of monitoring in oral health programs, longer time at home and consequently greater accessibility to food with cariogenic potential, the hypothesis of possible changes in the oral health of individuals during this period arises. Thus, the objective of the present study is to perform a comparison of the oral health of individuals from 6 to 10 years of age in the city of Bauru before and after a pandemic, evaluating the possible impact of socioeconomic changes and habits of diet and oral hygiene. For this purpose, a convenience sample of 681 children aged 6-10 years from the city of Bauru- SP will be used, which were examined immediately before the isolation period dueto COVID-19. These same schoolchildren will be clinically reassessed for caries index using the ICDAS index per surface, Visible Plate Index (VPI) and Gingival Bleeding Index (ISG), so that it is possible to compare oral health conditions before and after pandemic. In addition, socioeconomic questionnaires and questionnaire of habits of diet and oral hygiene will be applied, to evaluate if there were changes in this period and the impact on oral health. The prevalence and incidence data will be presented by means of absolute average values.Next the data before and after pandemic will be compared and will be reported the number of teeth that developed caries lesion and the number of teeth that presented evolution of the lesions, this evaluation will be made by Fisher's exact test (p<0.05). (AU)