Pandemic-era Concerns About Dental Visits Among Patients With SjöGren’s Disease

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine, within the Sjögren’s disease population, whether there is a difference in level of concern about visiting the dental office during the COVID-19 pandemic by vaccination status and age group.
Methods: A survey was created for adults with Sjögren’s disease and incorporated questions about age group, vaccination status, and concern about dental visits during the pandemic. Age categories were 18-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-79, and 80+ years. Subjects were asked whether they were fully vaccinated (at least two shots of any of the COVID-19 vaccines). Concern was measured on a four-point scale (“not concerned,” “minimally concerned,” “moderately concerned,” or severely concerned”). The questions were validated through a content review by experts in the field, and by volunteers through a face validation process. IRB approval was obtained and the survey was subsequently administered through Qualtrics to subjects in Sjögren’s disease support groups and through the Sjögren’s Foundation. The Kruskal-Wallis test and Mann-Whitney U test were used in the analysis.
Results: Seven hundred and four subjects were included in the analysis. When comparing patients with Sjögren’s disease who reported being vaccinated against COVID-19 to those who did not, the former group reported significantly greater concern about visiting the dentist during the pandemic (p<0.001). There was no significant association between age group and level of concern about visiting the dental office during the COVID-19 pandemic (p=0.717).
Conclusions: Among individuals with Sjögren’s disease, concerns about visiting the dentist during the COVID-19 pandemic may be present regardless of age. Patients who are vaccinated against COVID-19 may have a higher level of concern than those who are not. Dental professionals should be sensitive to possible concerns about pandemic-era dental visits in the Sjögren’s disease population and provide compassionate care.