The relationship among sense of coherence, socio‐economic status, and oral health‐related behaviours among Finnish dentate adults

Abstract

This study assessed the independent and interactive associations between sense of coherence (SOC) and socio-economic status (SES) with oral health-related behaviours. Data from 5,399 dentate adults regarding their demographic characteristics, years of education, SOC score, and oral health-related behaviours were analysed. Household income was obtained from tax authorities. Logistic regression was used to test the adjusted association of SOC with each behaviour and to test the statistical interaction between each SES indicator and the SOC score. Subjects were 1.20 [95% confidence interval (95% CI): 1.11-1.28] and 1.22 (95% CI: 1.12-1.32) times more likely to visit dentists regularly for check-ups and to brush their teeth twice daily or more often, respectively, and were 1.11 (95% CI: 1.03-1.20) and 1.21 (95% CI: 1.12-1.32) times less likely to be daily smokers and to consume sugar-added products on a daily basis, respectively, for every unit increase in SOC score. The findings provide strong support for an association between higher levels of SOC and more favourable oral health-related behaviours, independently of current SES and demographic characteristics of the participants and across the four behaviours assessed. By contrast, the findings give limited support for the moderating role of SOC on the relationship between SES and oral health-related behaviours.

Association between Sense of Coherence and Dental Caries Experience in Adolescents

“…However, previous studies have reported that a better socioeconomic status in childhood exerts an influence on a higher SOC in adulthood. This statement has been proven in studies on oral health behaviors, revealing that adolescents who are more economically privileged have a higher SOC and adopt better health-related habits [15,28]. Other studies have demonstrated associations with dental caries and demographic/socioeconomic factors, reporting that one's living conditions exert a direct influence on the motivation to adopt adequate oral health behaviors [29,30].…”

Relationship between Sense of Coherence and oral health in adults and elderly Brazilians

“…The results of this study indicate that a higher SOC can contribute to a better oral health condition of adults and the elderly, observing also that the social and demographic factors had no influence on this result, thus confirming what was found in the study by Bernabé et al 20 The lack of influence of socioeconomic status on the relationship between SOC and oral health behaviors in adults has been observed in previous studies. 10,11 The finding of this association, in relation to the clinical conditions (number of teeth present and need for dental prostheses), suggests that reinforcing the SOC could result in favorable oral health outcomes, even if there were no changes in socioeconomic status.…”

“…8,10,12,13,14,30 However, the investigation of the relationship of the SOC with clinical health conditions is still scant in the literature. Freire et al 5 found an association between SOC and cavities in the posterior teeth of adolescents, a result that was not confirmed by multivariate analysis.…”

“…According to Antonovsky,3 SOC is "a global orientation that expresses the extent to which one has a pervasive, enduring though dynamic feeling of confidence that (1) the stimuli from one's internal and external environments in the course of living are structured, predictable, and explicable; (2) the resources are available to one to meet the demands posed by these stimuli; and (3) these demands are challenges, worthy of investment and engagement". 3 The SOC has been shown to be a promising resource for establishing healthy behaviors 4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16 and a positive self-perception of oral health, 14,16 which increases the interest in investigating its relationship…”

Sense of Coherence and Four-Year Caries Incidence in Finnish Adults

“…SOC may influence the aetiology of, and recovery from disease through effective coping, by avoiding behaviours that are directly detrimental to health such as smoking, excessive drinking, unhealthy diet or sedentary lifestyle, and by adopting behaviours that can reduce the severity of illness, such as seeking treatment early or compliance to it [Antonovsky, 1996]. Indeed, prior research in adults has shown that a strong SOC is related to more favourable dental behaviours [Savolainen et al, 2004;Lindmark et al, 2005;Savolainen et al, 2005;Bernabé et al, 2009a;Savolainen et al, 2009;Lindmark et al, 2011b]. Longitudinal studies may help to examine this novel research area in greater depth.…”