Effects of COVID-19 on parental perception of children's oral health-related quality of life.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on parents' perceptions of their children's oral health related quality of life (OHRQoL). This longitudinal study was performed in two stages: baseline (T1), before the pandemic, and follow-up (T2), from August to November 2021. Children aged eight to eleven years and their parents who were seeking dental care or were referred to the Pediatric Dental Clinic of the School of Dentistry, residing in Pelotas, state of Rio Grande do Sul (RS) were included. OHRQoL served as the primary outcome measure and was assessed using the Brazilian short-form of the Parental-Caregiver Perceptions Questionnaire (P-CPQ) at T1 and T2. Child's sex and age, caries status (dmft/DMFT), parents' education, and household income were collected at T1. Variables related to COVID-19 were collected at T2: fear of COVID-19 and of family virus transmission, job loss, and children's dental pain in the past 4 weeks. The non-parametric Wilcoxon test was used to compare OHRQoL. Changes in OHRQoL over time were analyzed using a multilevel negative binomial regression model. The random intercept and fixed effects model considered repeated measurements (level 1) grouped into individuals (level 2). The level of significance was set at 5%. There was no statistically significant difference between the median for total score and for each domain. In the multilevel analysis, fear of COVID-19 was linked to poorer OHRQoL perceptions. Having dental pain and younger children also negatively impacted these perceptions. Emotional and psychological factors and non-normative parameters significantly influenced parental perceptions of OHRQoL during the pandemic.