ABSTRACT
Background and Aim: To determine the influence of the SARS-CoV 2 virus pandemic on periodontal status and to establish which factors are involved in these changes. Methods: Analysis of 50 questionnaires randomly distributed through the google forms program, with easy-to-follow graphics and processing of personal data while respecting confidentiality. The questionnaire included 30 questions with one or multiple answers and text boxes for individual completion. The questions were about oral hygiene and the gingival changes observed by participants in the first months after the pandemic broke out, including the lockdown period. Results: The average age of participants was between 20 and 30 years, most with higher education, from urban areas, 8.2% of them with pre-existing periodontal diseases but only 6.3% followed a periodontal treatment. 32.7% of participants tested positive for Sarcov2. The impairments of the marginal periodontium were observed by the increase with 9.6% (from 19.4% to 29%) of the gingival color changes, with 16.2% (from 16.1% to 32.3%) of the gingival volume, with 23% (from 51.6% to 74.2%) of gingival bleeding at tooth brushing and with 6.5% (from 0% to 6.5%) of dental mobility. Interest in oral health was modified by changing the frequency and the time of tooth brushing (less than 3 min increased with 8.2%), by reducing dental checks and halving specialized prophylaxis. 75% of the participants noticed an increase in stress during the pandemic, and 38.8% noticed a direct influence of the pandemic situation on their oral hygiene. Conclusions: The negative action of the SARS-CoV 2 virus is not limited to the direct one, the effects of the pandemic being felt in the field of oral health, having repercussions on the condition of periodontal tissues by influencing the measures of prophylaxis of these diseases.
ABSTRACT
COVID-19 continues to be both a major medical problem and a real ethical and forensic issue, profoundly affecting both patients and health services around the world. This pandemic has produced major changes in the provision of healthcare, especially in patients with chronic conditions. The consequence has been the deviation in some medical situations from the medical guidelines and protocols in force with forensic risks for clinicians. When the criteria of professional competence are met, the civil liability ensures a protection of the health workers. Disputes can arise when there are doubts about how the medical activity was performed in safe conditions for patients, when local care decisions were made or when there are no nationally validated guidelines. In conclusion, clarifying legal concepts on the public health crisis, developing a legislative framework and appropriate means to combat it, are important desideratum on more judicious management of a crisis situation.