Oral health related quality of life and self-esteem in a general population

Abstract

Background and aims. The interest in the research of both Oral Health Related Quality Of Life and dental aesthetics has increased in the recent years. The aim of the current study consists in the evaluation of the perception of oral-health, dental aesthetics and self-esteem in a general population. Methods. A group of students of the Faculty of Dental Medicine, Cluj-Napoca, were trained in the field of questionnaire interviewing. The students were asked to apply the following questionnaires to a number of maximum five close persons: the OHIP-14Aesthetic questionnaire, the Rosenberg self-esteem scale and a questionnaire evaluating demographic data. Each interviewed subject provided informed consent. The sample included 97 subjects with an age range of 18-75 years. For each of the three applied questionnaires overall scores were computed and used for the calculation of Pearson correlations and inferential statistical procedures: the t-test. Results. Related to the complete sample (N=97), the highest OHIP-14Aesthetic scores were obtained for the functional limitation (mean score of 2.22), physical pain (mean score of 2.72) and psychological discomfort (mean score of 1.37) subscales. The highest Rosenberg self-esteem scale scores were obtained for the following questions: "I think I am no good at all" (mean score of 3.50), "feel useless at times" (mean score of 3.53), "inclined to feel that I am a failure" (mean score 3.77), "positive attitude toward myself" (mean score of 3.50). Statistically significant correlations were registered between the overall Rosenberg self-esteem scale score and the scores of the following OHIP-14Aesthetic subscales: psychological discomfort (r = -0.201, p = 0.49), physical disability (r = -0.219, p = 0.031), psychological disability (r = -0.218, p = 0.032), social disability (r = -0.203, p = 0.046). The t-test revealed statistically significant gender differences, in regard to the OHIP-14Aesthetic overall score t(95) = -2.820, p = 0.006. Conclusions. The current study indicates the existence of statistically significant gender differences in the perception of oral health and a series of dental aesthetics elements in a general population. Moreover, statistically significant correlations were obtained between the perception of oral health and the perception of self-esteem.

Oral Health-Related Quality of Life and Its Association With Malocclusion and Self-Perception of Dental Aesthetics in Adolescents / Qualidade De Vida Relacionada À Saúde Bucal E Sua Associação Com Má Oclusão E Autopercepção Da Estética Dentária Em Adolescentes

“…Other studies have also confirmed that the concern of an individual with good appearance is generalized in any society. 24,25 Consistent with previous studies, 26,27 statistical associations were found between gender and impact on quality of life, with the girls presenting 2.54 times more chances of having an impact than boys. Girls, usually, are more sensitive to the perception of their own appearance than boys, 26,28 present more attention, perception and appreciation of with own oral health.…”

“…24,25 Consistent with previous studies, 26,27 statistical associations were found between gender and impact on quality of life, with the girls presenting 2.54 times more chances of having an impact than boys. Girls, usually, are more sensitive to the perception of their own appearance than boys, 26,28 present more attention, perception and appreciation of with own oral health. 26 However, it should be noted that in some researches this association was not found.…”

“…Girls, usually, are more sensitive to the perception of their own appearance than boys, 26,28 present more attention, perception and appreciation of with own oral health. 26 However, it should be noted that in some researches this association was not found. 4,29 Disagreeing of previous surveys, 3,5 in the present study found no association between impact on daily performance and malocclusion, severity of malocclusion, or types of malocclusion.…”

Is oral hygiene performed by caregivers of children and adolescents with cerebral palsy effective?

“…The best way to overcome the difficulties of lack of access to dental care for Special Needs Patients (SNP), is to make their caregivers aware of the impact that the benefits of oral health can have on their quality of life (DeMattei et al, 2012). However, it is necessary that the caregiver also know the importance of maintaining their own oral health (Grecu et al, 2019).…”

“…However, when it comes to awareness of oral hygiene, access to information is not yet so widespread, causing an impact on the individual's quality of life (Naseem et al, 2016). We know that oral health can contribute to health improvement generally, self-esteem and social integration (Grecu et al, 2019).…”