Clinical Periodontal Outcomes and COVID-19

Abstract

This thesis research investigated the impact of delays in periodontal maintenance appointments during the COVID-19 pandemic on clinical periodontal outcomes (PD, BOP, PI) in a sample size of 350 patients who either received (n=260) or had never received (n=90) sanative therapy. A hierarchical multiple regression including 3 models was used to evaluate the effect of various predictors on post-pandemic clinical outcomes in both groups for a total of 6 regression analyses. The predictors of interest were a disruption due to COVID-19 (Model 1, 2, and 3), length of delay (Model 2 and 3), pre-COVID-19 clinical measures (Model 2 and 3), sex (Model 3), and smoking status (Model 3). The findings showed that a delay in appointment – regardless of duration – predicted a worsened PD in patients who have received ST (Model 1). Moreover, a longer delay and poorer pre-COVID-19 clinical measures predicted a worsening of all outcomes in patients who have received ST (Model 2). These factors also predicted a greater PI in individuals who have never received ST (Model 2). Smoking status and sex in combination influenced all outcomes for patients who have received ST, wherein current smokers and female sex were linked to a worsening of PD (Model 3). PI was the only clinical outcome significantly affected by smoking status and sex in patients who have never received ST (Model 3). Results of this study suggest that patients who have received sanative therapy to treat periodontal disease are more clinically fragile than patients who have never received sanative therapy. Practically, these findings extend beyond the pandemic, offering insights into patient care strategies for managing disruptions in periodontal maintenance.