This study examined changes in oral health behaviors of elderly Koreans before and after the COVID-19 pandemic. This study used secondary analysis of data from the 7th (2016-2018) and 8th (2019-2021) Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, with samples consisting of 3,426 individuals aged 65 years and older in the 7th survey and 4,304 individuals in the 8th survey. Data analysis included adjustment for socioeconomic and health-related confounders and adjustment for demographic variables. Differences in oral health behaviors before and after the COVID-19 pandemic were analyzed using the Rao-Scott chi-square test (α = 0.05). According to the results of this study, the oral health status of the elderly improved after COVID-19. The number of patients who have had a dental examination in the past year has increased, and chewing and speaking discomfort and toothache have decreased. and experiences of toothache also declined. However, there was an increase in oral health behaviors such as daily toothbrushing frequency/time, use of oral hygiene products, dental floss, interdental brushes, mouthwash, water flossers/tongue cleaners/ advanced toothbrushes/denture care products among older people compared to before the pandemic. Contrary to expectations that many elderly patients would avoid visiting dental clinics or even be unable to see a dentist because of COVID-19, the study suggests that the oral health status of the elderly improved after the pandemic. They increased their use of oral hygiene products and continued to receive dental check-ups during COVID-19, indicating a positive change in their oral health management habits. Therefore, it implies a positive change in the ongoing oral health management habits of elderly patients to prepare them for future infectious diseases such as COVID-19. Key Words: COVID-19, Oral health, Dental care for aged, Tooth, Nutritional status|본 연구의 목적은 코로나19 팬데믹 전후의 한국 노인 구강 관리 행태의 변화를 확인하기 위함이다. 제7기(2016년~2018년)와 제8기(2019년~2021년) 국민건강영양조사 원시자료를이용한 이차 분석 연구로, 본 연구를 위해 사용된 조사 표본은 65세 이상 남녀로 제7기 3,426_x000D_
<br>명과 제8기 4,304명이다. 자료 분석을 위해 사회 경제적, 건강 관련 요인들을 교란변수(confounder)로 설정하고 인구 사회적 변수를 보정 하여, 전후 구강 관리 행태 차이를Rao-Scott chi-square test(α = 0.05)로 분석하였다. 연구 결과, 코로나19 발생 이후 구강검진을 받는 노인들이 늘어났고, 씹기 불편감, 말하기 불편감, 치통 경험이 줄어들었다. 구강건강행태의 변화를 코로나19 발생 이전과 이후를 비교했을 때, 코로나19 발생 이후 하루 칫솔질을4회 이상 실시하는 노인들이 늘어났으며, 구강용품, 치실, 치간 칫솔, 양치 용액, 워터픽/혀클리너/첨단칫솔/틀니관리용품을 사용하는 노인들이 늘어났다._x000D_
<br>그러므로 국민건강영양조사 자료를 바탕으로 분석한 본 연구 결과에 따르면 코로나19_x000D_
<br>로 인해 치과 병의원 방문을 꺼려하고 심지어 내원하지 못하는 노인 환자들이 많아 구강건강상태가 악화되었을 것이라는 예상과 달리 코로나19 발생 이후 구강건강 상태가 개선된 노인이많아졌다. 구강건강 관리를 위해 칫솔질과 구강 위생용품 사용이 늘었고, 코로나19 시기에도구강검진을 받으며 구강건강 관리를 소홀히 않았다는 것을 알 수 있다. 이는 코로나19 발생이후 미래 감염병 대비를 위한 노인 환자들의 지속적인 구강 관리 습관에 긍정적 변화가 있었음을 시사한다.
Alternative Abstract
This study examined changes in oral health behaviors of elderly Koreans before and after the COVID-19 pandemic. This study used secondary analysis of data from the 7th (2016-2018) and 8th (2019-2021) Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, with samples consisting of 3,426 individuals aged 65 years and older in the 7th survey and 4,304 individuals in the 8th survey. Data analysis included adjustment for socioeconomic and health-related confounders and adjustment for demographic variables. Differences in oral health behaviors before and after the COVID-19 pandemic were analyzed using the Rao-Scott chi-square test (α = 0.05). According to the results of this study, the oral health status of the elderly improved after COVID-19. The number of patients who have had a dental examination in the past year has increased, and chewing and speaking discomfort and toothache have decreased. and experiences of toothache also declined. However, there was an increase in oral health behaviors such as daily toothbrushing frequency/time, use of oral hygiene products, dental floss, interdental brushes, mouthwash, water flossers/tongue cleaners/ advanced toothbrushes/denture care products among older people compared to before the pandemic. Contrary to expectations that many elderly patients would avoid visiting dental clinics or even be unable to see a dentist because of COVID-19, the study suggests that the oral health status of the elderly improved after the pandemic. They increased their use of oral hygiene products and continued to receive dental check-ups during COVID-19, indicating a positive change in their oral health management habits. Therefore, it implies a positive change in the ongoing oral health management habits of elderly patients to prepare them for future infectious diseases such as COVID-19. Key Words: COVID-19, Oral health, Dental care for aged, Tooth, Nutritional status
