Dental visits in crisis: analyzing dental service utilization amidst the pandemic.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Oral health problems pose a significant challenge to public health and quality of life, affecting nearly half of all children and the majority of adults worldwide. The COVID-19 pandemic has notably disrupted health-seeking behaviors, particularly in dental care, due to heightened fears of infection. This study aims to identify factors influencing dental service utilization during the pandemic in Kermanshah City, using the framework of the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB). TPB was employed to systematically examine the psychological and behavioral determinants-such as attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control (PBC)-that may influence individuals' decisions to seek dental care during the pandemic.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted in

SUBMITTER: Mirzaei-Alavijeh M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12802293 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature