Link between perceived oral and general health status among Yemeni adult dental patients

Abstract

Background Self-perceived health is an essential measure of health status and even a paramount predictor of mortality. So long as it is said that oral health (OH) and general health (GH) are mirrors to each other. This study sought to determine how Yemeni adults rate their OH and GH, whether such a self-rating influenced by some potential risk factors, and whether both ratings (OH and GH) are correlated. Methods A sample of 587 Yemeni dental patients aged 20 years and over were consecutively recruited. A structured interview form was used covering the following variables: age, gender, marital status, educational level, presence of dental prosthesis (DP), smoking and Qat chewing habits as independent variables, along with questions on “perceived oral health (POH)” and “perceived general health (PGH)” as dependent variables. The bivariate and multiple ordinal regression analyses were applied at P -value < 0.05. Results Most of participants were women (73.6%), and married (71.4%), and more than half of them were young adults (58.2%), with high educational levels (53.3%), and not having DP. Only 310 participants responded to the questions on smoking and Qat chewing habits. Of these, 88.5% were non-smokers and 62.1% were Qat non-chewers. Up to 50% of the participants reported their POH as poor or fair, while lower proportions of participants (17%) reported their PGH as such. Younger age (compared to elders), high education levels (compared to primary education) and being single (compared to married) significantly revealed better levels of POH, while high education levels and being females significantly revealed better levels of PGH. Smoking and Qat chewing habits were found to have no effect on the perception of POH or PGH. POH and PGH were found to be significantly correlated ( r = 0.486; P < 0.001). Conclusion Higher levels of oral health problems can be anticipated among patients who perceive poor general health, and vice versa. The age, marital status and education were independent determinants of POH, while the gender and education were independent determinants of PGH.

Oral Health Status and Patterns of Dental Service Utilization of Adolescents in Lesotho, Southern Africa

“…Adolescents who reported fair/poor oral health were more likely to also report fair/poor general health and quality of life. A study in Yemen found that people who perceived their general health as very good/excellent were also likely to perceive their oral health as very good/excellent [25]. Our results further indicated that adolescents who reported having toothache, bleeding gums, and were unhappy with the appearance of their teeth were more likely to report their oral health status as fair/poor.…”

Oral Health Status and Patterns of Dental Service Utilization of Adolescents in Lesotho, Southern Africa

“…A study in Yemen found out that people who perceived their general health as very good/excellent were also likely to perceive their oral health as very good/excellent. [21] Our results further indicated that adolescents who reported having toothache, bleeding gums, and were unhappy with the appearance of their teeth, were more likely to report their oral health status as fair/poor. Similar results have been reported by David et al in a 2006 study in Kerala, India, where self-reported oral status was found to be related to appearance of teeth and caries experience.…”

Nurses’ perceptions and practices regarding oral care in hospitalized patients: a qualitative study on missed nursing care

“…Several systemic diseases have oral manifestations and have different effects on general health. Improved oral hygiene reduces the progression or occurrence of periodontal disease, characterized by the destruction of the supporting tissues of the tooth [3] and it prevents respiratory disease among high-risk elderly adults living in nursing homes and patients in intensive care units. Studies support the significance of oral and dental factors while controlling for established medical risk factors in chronic bronchitis, pneumonia, and chronic pulmonary obstructive disease [4,5,6].…”