The Psycho-Social Impact of Dental Emergencies in COVID-19 Patients: A Cross-Sectional Case–Control Study

TL;DR

This study found that dental emergencies significantly worsen the quality of life for patients with COVID-19, highlighting the need for timely dental care during health crises.

Contribution

The study is the first to quantify the psycho-social impact of dental emergencies specifically in patients with COVID-19.

Findings

Patients with dental emergencies had a significantly lower global quality of life score compared to controls.

Dental emergencies were strongly associated with severe quality of life impairment, with much higher odds of unfavorable outcomes.

Abstract

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic severely restricted access to routine dental care, resulting in delayed treatment and increased presentation of dental emergencies. When combined with SARS-CoV-2 infection, these conditions may significantly impair psycho-social well-being and quality of life (QoL). This study assessed the impact of dental emergencies on QoL in patients with COVID-19. Methods: A cross-sectional case–control study was conducted between January 2022 and April 2024, including 240 adult patients with confirmed COVID-19. The case group comprised 60 patients presenting with dental emergencies, while the control group included 180 COVID-19 patients without emergency dental needs. Quality of life was evaluated using the 32-item Quality-of-Life Inventory (QOLI), yielding a continuous global score (SBQ) and an ordinal quality-of-life category (CGV). Group comparisons were performed using Welch’s t-test and logistic regression, with effect sizes and 95% confidence intervals reported. Multivariable analyses were adjusted for age and sex. Results: Patients with dental emergencies reported markedly poorer global QoL compared to controls (mean SBQ difference = −2.04 points; Cohen’s d = −1.50; p < 0.001). The presence of a dental emergency was strongly associated with severe QoL impairment, with emergency patients showing substantially higher odds of unfavorable CGV categories (adjusted OR ≈ 20.4; 95% CI: 8.6–48.5; p < 0.001). These associations remained robust after adjustment for demographic covariates. Conclusions: Dental emergencies in patients with COVID-19 are associated with a profound deterioration in quality of life. Ensuring timely access to emergency dental services during public health crises may substantially reduce psycho-social burden and improve patient-centered outcomes.

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