Analysis of Diffencesin Oral Health behavior according to Neuroticism due to COVID-19

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to identify changes in neurosis caused by COVID-19 and to identify differences in oral health behaviors in response to neurosis changes. During of April to May 2021, 461 questionnaires in Korea were surveyed on change of neurosis and oral health behaviors.Paired t-test was conducted to confirm the change in neurosis before and after COVID-19, psychological change in mask wearing, and oral health behavior. In addition, a chi-squared test was conducted to confirm the differences in demographic characteristics and changes in oral health-related factors according to neurotic changes.As a result, it was confirmed that neurosis was higher after COVID-19 compared to before COVID-19 in all items (p<0.000).  Also, it was confirmed that the psychological change of wearing a mask was worse after COVID-19 compared to before COVID-19 (p<0.001).Before COVID-19, non-smoking and caries-preventing food intake were significantly higher in the group with neurosis changes. After COVID-19, brushing your teeth before going to bed improved, but not delaying oral treatment decreased (p<0.001).Therefore, it is necessary to reduce the anxiety of visiting the dentist in order not to miss the treatment time for oral diseases. In addition, effective educational promotion should be conducted using various media so that behaviors to care oral health can be taken at home.