Current Status and Related Factors of Unmet Dental Care among Korean Adults during the COVID-19 Epidemic

Objective: In the era of the COVID-19 epidemic, studies have reported reduced healthcare use and restrictions on daily life.This study investigated the current status of unmet dental care during the COVID-19 epidemic and analyzed related factors among Korean adults.Methods: Data from the 2021 Korea Community Health Survey were used.A total of 193,989 participants were analyzed, and unmet dental care needs in the past year were investigated.The associations between general, health-related, and COVID-19related characteristics and unmet dental care were analyzed using chi-square tests and multiple logistic regression analysis.Results: The rate of unmet dental care needs was 16.8%.The unmet need for dental care was high for those who were affected by COVID-19 in their daily lives and those who had household income and expenditures that had changed due to COVID-19.The risk of unmet dental care was high for those concerned about economic damage due to COVID-19 and those who had not received the COVID-19 vaccination.Conclusion: Failure to visit a medical institution at the right time is likely to increase the risk of deteriorating oral and general health.It is necessary to create an environment where dental treatment can be safely performed, even in the face of emerging infectious diseases.