Factors Associated with Regular Dental Checkups’ Discontinuation during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Nationwide Cross-Sectional Web-Based Survey in Japan

Abstract

Managing oral health through regular dental checkups (RDCs) can help prevent dental diseases. Our study aimed to investigate the proportion and characteristics of those who stopped receiving RDCs owing to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. A nationwide web-based survey in Japan in September 2021 (3556 participants) revealed that 62.4% of participants had habitually received RDCs before COVID-19. Of these (n = 2219), 71.5% had received RDCs since the pandemic and 28.5% had not. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed the following characteristics of those without RDCs since the pandemic: female (male, OR: 0.58, 95%CI: 0.45–0.74), lower household income (<2000 K JPY, OR: 1.45, 95%CI: 0.94–2.23; 2000 K–< 4000 K JPY, OR: 1.46, 95%CI: 1.08–1.98), fewer teeth (20–27, OR: 0.63, 95%CI: 0.39–1.03; ≥28, OR: 0.60, 95%CI: 0.36–0.98), and no interdental cleaning habits (OR: 0.51, 95%CI: 0.41–0.63). These results suggest that the disruption to RDCs owing to the pandemic is related to individual socioeconomic factors. Additionally, these individuals have poor oral health, which may be worsened by such barriers.