Periodontitis Patients’ Oral Health Experience and Quality of Life during the Malaysian Movement Control Order-2020 (Pengalaman Kesihatan Pergigian dan Kualiti Hidup Pesakit Periodontitis semasa Perintah Kawalan Pergerakan Malaysia-2020)
http://dx.doi.org/10.17576/JSKM-2023-2101-07
- Author:
Nor Adila Mohd-Norwir
1
;
Seah Ke Xin
1
;
Lee Rhea Meisha
1
;
Tuti Ningseh Mohd-Dom
1
;
Shahida Mohd-Said
1
Author Information
1. Faculty of Dentistry, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
COVID-19, Dental Health Services, pandemic, Oral Health, barriers
- From:Malaysian Journal of Health Sciences
2023;21(No.1):75-84
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has sparked concerns among dental patients due to its high infectivity. The
implementation of the Movement Control Order in 2020 by the Malaysian government (MMCO-2020) has added
constraints to access to dental clinics and may affect the patients’ status of oral disease. This study aims to investigate
the impact of MMCO-2020 on the periodontal health and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) of periodontitis
patients with/out non-communicable diseases (NCDs). A cross-sectional study involving 139 patients with periodontitis
was conducted to assess patients’ OHRQoL, oral health problems, and their perceived barriers to access dental treatment
during MMCO-2020 using the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14) and questionnaire on oral health-related problems.
The overall mean OHIP-14 score was relatively low (10.08 ± 8.861), suggesting that the OHRQoL is generally good
during MMCO-2020. However, 44 (31.7%) periodontitis patients score ADD ≥14, indicating poorer oral health status
and greater dental treatment needed. There was statistically significant association between periodontitis patients with
comorbidities (i.e., presence of NCDs) with poorer OHIP-14 scores and mean plaque score changes at pre- and postMMCO, suggesting that special care is required by this group, even during the national lockdown. Of the 45 (32.4%)
patients who reported having problems, most (30, 36.1%) decided to “visit the dentist for treatment’. Meanwhile, the
most frequent barriers were “could not get an appointment” (14, 34%), “problem is not serious” (13, 39.4%) and “fear
of COVID” (9, 27.3%). The MMCO-2020 restrictions on the population had a minimal negative impact on the OHRQoL
of patients with periodontal disease, but provisions can be arranged to address the basic and urgent needs of selected
periodontitis patients, especially those presented with medical comorbidities.
- Full text:14.2023my0434.pdf
