Children’s oral health and oral health care use during the first 2 years of the COVID-19 pandemic

A study examining the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on children's oral health and oral health care use in 2021 has found concerning trends. Parents and caregivers were more likely to perceive children's oral health as poor and less likely to report excellent oral health in 2021 compared to 2019. Dental visits were also less frequent in 2021. These negative changes were observed across various demographic and socioeconomic groups, and they couldn't be attributed to pre-pandemic trends. The study underscores the ongoing need to improve access to oral health care and assess the long-term effects of the pandemic on children's oral health.