Assessment of depression-anxiety-stress level and oral hygiene attitudes in the process of COVID-19 pandemia

Adverse effects on mental health both pose a risk for periodontal diseases and may disrupt compliance with preventive health behaviors. In our study, in which we aimed to evaluate the mental effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, to investigate the oral hygiene attitudes and oral hygiene attitudes in this process, as well as the demographic and psychological relationships; A total of 150 individuals, 75 women, 75 men, were included in the study. Our study is a cross-sectional, descriptive questionnaire study. Survey questions; It consists of a total of 23 questions, including demographic characteristics, anamnesis questions, questions about oral hygiene attitudes, and the DASS-21 scale to evaluate mental state. The data obtained from the study were analyzed with the SPSS 11.5 program, the differences between the categories were evaluated with the Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal Wallis H test, and the relationships between the variables were evaluated with the Chi-square and Fisher-exact tests. In addition, risk factors for variables were determined by Univariate and Multivariate Logistic Regression analysis. 40.7% of the individuals participating in our study had at least mild level of anxiety, 28.7% had at least mild depression and 19.3% had at least mild stress findings. Being a woman, being single, not having children, low income level, younger age and presence of comorbid psychiatric illness are risk factors for mental disorders. 34% of the individuals participating in our study 2 times a day or more; 14.7% of them brush their teeth in more than 2 minutes. 10% of them use dental floss. Our findings are lower than those reported in previous studies. Factors associated with tooth brushing frequency, tooth brushing duration and flossing use in our study: Gender, education level, presence of concomitant psychiatric disease, DASS-21 anxiety, depression and stress subscales, smoking, being a healthcare worker, income level and marital status. is the case. 36% of the individuals participating in our study evaluated their dental and gingival health as poor. Perception of individual dental and gingival health was associated with the presence of systemic disease. 77.4% of the individuals participating in our study change their toothbrush in less than 6 months. The frequency of toothbrush replacement was found to be associated with education level.