ArticleBMC oral health2026
Impact of war on oral health among the Gaza population: a comparative cross-sectional study.
Article in BMC oral health, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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Abstract
backgroundArmed conflict disrupts health systems and daily self-care practices, yet quantitative evidence on its impact on oral health is scarce. This study compared self-reported oral health status, hygiene behaviours, and access to dental care among residents of the Gaza Strip before and during the 2023-2024 war.
methodsA comparative cross-sectional survey was conducted among 599 Gaza residents using a structured, self-developed 34-items online questionnaire. Participants reported oral health conditions and behaviours for two periods: before October 2023 and during the war. Paired categorical data were analysed using Bowker's test of symmetry for multi-category variables, and McNemar's test for binary variables, and subgroup associations were examined using chi-square tests.
resultsSignificant deterioration was observed across all 12 assessed domains (p < 0.001 for 11 variables; p = 0.013 for the remaining variable). The proportion reporting severe oral pain increased from 6.5% pre-war to 73.8% during the war, while those reporting no pain decreased from 25.5% to 2.0%. Favourable self-rated dental status (excellent/good) declined from 85.3% to 9.7%, and the proportion reporting healthy gums decreased from 88.1% to 12.4%. Twice-daily tooth brushing fell from 77.5% to 9.5%, and complete cessation of brushing increased from 0.8% to 38.4%. Unmet dental care needs rose from 11.7% to 92.7%, with insecurity and lack of dental services as the main barriers. Stress-related oral habits increased markedly, and 86.0% of participants reported dependence on canned foods. Overall, 95.5% perceived their oral health to have worsened since the onset of the war.
conclusionThe Gaza war was associated with profound deterioration in self-reported oral health status, hygiene practices, and access to dental care. These findings highlight oral health as a neglected dimension of humanitarian crises and underscore the need to integrate essential dental services into emergency health responses and post-conflict reconstruction.
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