EFFECT OF COVID-19 ON ORAL HEALTH-RELATED QUALITY OF LIFE OF CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

Abstract

Introduction: The interruption of dental care during the COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the critical importance of disease prevention and the maintenance of oral health. Objective: This systematic review aimed to determine the effects of the pandemic on the Oral Health-related Quality of Life of children and adolescents. Sources of Data: Observational studies were included. The search was carried out Embase, PubMed, Psycinfo, LILACS, Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and ProQuest Dissertations and Thesis. The effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) of children and adolescents was the main outcome. The risk of bias was determined by using the JBI Critical Appraisal Checklist. Synthesis of Data: A total of five studies were included, encompassing 4085 children and adolescents. The age range, reported in three studies, allowed for the calculation of a mean age of 8.8 years (±4.61). Two studies had a negative effect on OHRQoL (through associations), two of them did not present data to justify the effect and the other had a low negative effect. All studies failed to describe confounders and how to deal with them (risk of bias). Conclusion: The evidence remains inconclusive regarding the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the OHRQoL of children and adolescents.