Relationship among perceived stress, oral health status, stomatitis, and xerostomia in the community during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional survey

Aim: The aim of the study was to analyze the relationship between self-reported stress, oral health status, xerostomia, and stomatitis in the community during the COVID-19 pandemic.Materials and Methods: This is a cross-sectional study of 380 community respondents from the city of Bandung, Indonesia, consisting of 82 men and 298 women. Data obtained from online questionnaires using consecutive sampling method showed that the respondents agreed to participate in the study by filling in the informed consent. Furthermore, demographic data including age, education level, occupation, and total income were recorded. The variables measured by a questionnaire are self-reported stress, oral health status, xerostomia inventory, and stomatitis. Data distribution was performed by a descriptive statistic, χ2 test, Phi, and Spearman rank test for correlation analysis.Results: There was a significant correlation between perceived stress scale with oral health status (r’s = 0.135; P = 0.003), with stomatitis (r’s = 0.176; P = 0.015), and with xerostomia (r’s = 0.296; P = 0.022). In addition, age, education level, and total income also showed a significant correlation with stress level.Conclusion: From the findings of this study, it can be concluded that oral health status, xerostomia, and stomatitis were associated with levels of stress. Higher stress indicates poor oral health status, as well as severe xerostomia and stomatitis.