Introduction:

COVID-19 continues to drive research aimed at elucidating the disease's behavior and clinical aspects for improved diagnosis.

Objective:

To describe oral manifestations reported through a survey by dentate and denture-wearing Cuban individuals hospitalized due to confirmed COVID-19 infection.

Methods:

A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted through a survey, involving Cuban individuals aged 18 years and above, confirmed COVID-19 positive by PCR. Exclusions encompassed smokers, alcoholics, regular medication users, those with poor oral hygiene, and individuals with pre-existing oral manifestations. A questionnaire was administered to over a thousand individuals, of which 264 met the criteria. Variables related to COVID-19 infection and oral hygiene were assessed. Data were processed using SPSS, adhering to ethical principles.

Results:

The study comprised 264 participants with an average age of 39.96 years. Xerostomia emerged as the most prevalent oral manifestation (40.2%), followed by mandibular pain, TMJ, or bone pain (18.9%), and non-dental mouth pain (12.5%). Xerostomia was more prevalent in the 35 to 39 age group, while mandibular pain predominated in the 50 to 54 age group. No statistically significant evidence was found for dentate individuals or denture wearers, but significance was observed for those requiring hospitalization, exhibiting painless tongue lesions, single ulcers, and painful tongue lesions.

Conclusions:

Xerostomia was the most prevalent oral manifestation, followed by mandibular pain, TMJ or bone pain, and non-dental mouth pain. A statistically significant association was noted between the need for hospitalization and certain oral manifestations. The use of dentures was not significantly related to the studied manifestations.

        · abstract in Spanish     · text in English     · English ( pdf )