Frequency of Asymptomatic COVID-۱۹ Children and Related Oral Manifestations in ۴-۱۲-Year-Old Pediatric Dental Patients

Background: This study aimed to assess the frequency of asymptomatic coronavirus disease-۲۰۱۹ (COVID-۱۹) carriers and related oral manifestations in child dental patients.Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on ۲۱۵ asymptomatic pediatric dental patients aged ۴-۱۲ years. Clinical examination was performed by one calibrated examiner to determine oral signs and symptoms between October ۲۰۲۱ to July ۲۰۲۲. After completing clinical examination, the participants underwent a COVID-۱۹ polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test. Data were analyzed by Chi-Square, T- test, and Fisher’s exact test (α<۰.۰۵).Results: The mean age of the patients was ۷.۷۱±۱.۷۴ years; ۱۰۲ (۴۷.۴%) were males and ۱۱۳ (۵۶.۶%) were females. Thirty-two patients (۱۴.۹%) had a positive PCR result for COVID-۱۹. Out of ۳۲ positive subjects, ۷(۳.۳%) had oral lesions including aphthous and herpetic ulcers. Impairment in the sense of taste was not observed in any of the patients. Association between oral symptoms, and age (P=۰.۴۳۲) or gender (P=۰.۵۳۹) was not significant.Conclusion: The prevalence of COVID-۱۹ asymptomatic carriers in the study population was ۱۴.۹%; and ۳.۳% of them had oral manifestations, which emphasizes the need for personal protective equipment to prevent infection transmission.

Keywords:

Keywords: COVID-۱۹ , , , , , pediatric dental patients , , , , , Oral manifestations