Oral clinical status and oral health-related quality of life: is socioeconomic position a mediator or a moderator?

Abstract

The findings suggest the importance of socioeconomic position as a moderator and mediator factor between oral clinical measures and OHRQoL. Disadvantaged adolescents are likely to experience poor OHRQoL due to oral conditions. The reduction of the impact of oral conditions on quality of life in adolescents may be enhanced by addressing social inequalities related to oral health.

The role of socioeconomic status and psychosocial factors on gingivitis in socially disadvantaged adolescents

“…Nonetheless, low socioeconomic status was a meaningful predictor of gingivitis. The role of socioeconomic circumstances on gingival bleeding in children and adolescents was demonstrated using single measures of socioeconomic position, including parental education, family income, house overcrowding and housing conditions . However, studies investigating the association between similar socioeconomic indicators and gingivitis have reported contradictory findings.…”

“…However, studies investigating the association between similar socioeconomic indicators and gingivitis have reported contradictory findings. For instance, although adolescents from low family income were more likely to have gingivitis than those from better off families, other studies did not find an association between family income and gingivitis . There is no gold standard to measure socioeconomic status.…”

“…The clinical significance of gingivitis relies on the fact that gingival inflammation may precede the development of destructive periodontal disease . From the patient's perspective, gingivitis can negatively impact on children's and adolescents’ oral health‐related quality of life and well‐being …”

“…The current knowledge of the relationship between worse social conditions and gingivitis is supported by studies using different measures of socioeconomic position . On the other hand, investigations on the impact of psychological well‐being on gingivitis in children and adolescents are scarce .…”

“…2 From the patient's perspective, gingivitis can negatively impact on children's and adolescents' oral health-related quality of life and well-being. 3,4 The traditional etiologic model of periodontal diseases highlights the role of dental biofilm accumulation and the modifications in the oral flora on the initiation and progression of gingival inflammation. 1 A recent review paper suggests that additional risk factors, including systemic conditions (e.g., hyperglycemia), local factors (e.g., subgingival restoration margins), and behavioral factors (e.g., smoking) can also modify the oral microbial community exacerbating the clinical signs of gingivitis (e.g., bleeding and edema).…”