Associations between self-rated oral health, subjective oral conditions, oral health behaviours and oral health-related quality of life among college students: A study using structural equation modelling

Abstract

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between self-rated oral health, subjective oral conditions, oral health behaviours, and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) in Chinese college students.Methods: We conducted an online cross-sectional survey inviting college students from eastern China. A total of 1,708 participants were included. We constructed a structural equation model to explain and assess the associations among self-rated oral health, subjective oral conditions, oral health behaviours, and OHRQoL.Results: Self-rated oral health had a direct positive effect on subjective oral conditions and OHRQoL. Oral health behaviours had a direct negative effect on subjective oral conditions and OHRQoL, while oral health behaviours had a direct negative effect on tooth condition perception and oral health interventions. Subjective oral conditions had a direct positive effect on OHRQoL. There was a positive correlation between oral health behaviours and self-rated oral health. In addition, subjective oral conditions partially mediated both the effect of oral health behaviours on OHRQoL and the effect of self-rated oral health on OHRQoL.Conclusion: There were influential associations between self-rated oral health, subjective oral conditions, oral health behaviours, and OHRQoL among college students in eastern China.