Possible association between COVID-19-caused stress and periodontal health – a pilot study

Abstract

Introduction/Objective Stress is proposed as one of the risk factors linked to periodontal disease. The COVID-19 pandemic has a significant negative impact in population on mental and somatic health. This study aimed to examine the possible association between COVID-19 resultant stress and periodontal health. Methods An observational pilot study was conducted from March 2020 to October 2021 and included 202 participants. Participants graded their stress level using the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). Periodontal Disease Index and Clinical Attachment Level were determined. Participants were categorized into following groups: Ia (low stress), IIa (moderate stress), IIIa (high stress) and Ib (healthy parodontium), IIb (mild periodontal disease), IIIb (severe periodontal disease). The cause/effect relationship between stress and health was measured. Results The results indicated a statistically significant difference between the groups classified accord-ing to the stress level concerning values of all the measured parameters. The Poisson regression analysis showed that in both models, crude and adjusted, periodontal health-related covariables were higher in subjects perceiving greater stress (Periodontal Disease Index – Pradjusted = 1.042, 95% CI [1.030–1.055] and Clinical Attachment Level – PRadjusted = 1.108, 95% CI [1.094–1.122]). Conslusion During COVID-19 pandemic increased stress has a negative impact on mental health and may result in the deterioration of the entire oral cavity’s health, including the periodontium.