Alarming Findings from UIC Study on COVID & Long-Term Oral Health Risks, Black Population Worse Hit

A groundbreaking study led by Joel Schwartz, DMD, DMedSc, and Afsar Naqvi, PhD, from the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) College of Dentistry, has unearthed disturbing evidence that the oral cavity may serve as a long-term reservoir for SARS-CoV-2, fueling persistent inflammation, periodontal disease, and heightened susceptibility to other viral infections. The study, conducted over four years (2020–2024), compared oral health outcomes among COVID-19-positive and negative patients and found strong correlations between previous infection and long-term oral health complications, particularly among Black populations.

Study Design & Methods