The subjective recognition of oral malodor and oral malodor self test

Abstract

Objectives:The purpose of the study was to investigate the appropriate management and implementation of the oral malodor prevention for the general people. Methods: A self-reported questionnaire was filled out by 420 subjects in Seoul and Gyeonggi Province from March to October, 2013. Except 19 copies, 401 copies were analyzed. The instrument of subjective oral malodor awareness and status was adapted from Yoon and Youn and partly modified. The questionnaire consisted of general characteristics(4 questions), oral malodor awareness(3 questions), oral malodor related characteristics(3 questions), self-diagnostic test of oral malodor(5 questions), and subjective oral malodor and health status(3 questions). Self-diagnostic test of oral malodor was score as yes(1 point) and no(0 point). The subjective oral malodor and health status scoring was done by Likert 5 scale. Cronbach alpha was 0.713 in the self-diagnostic test of oral malodor. Results: The self-recognition rate of oral malodor was 0.8%. When the level of oral malodor increased to 1 point, the self-test of oral malodor increased as the rate of 0.033(p<0.05). Conclusions: There existed no close correlation between subjective recognition of oral malodor and oral malodor self-test. Therefore, oral malodor should be measured by an expert counseling to make an accurate diagnosis. It is important to establish the appropriate oral malodor prevention program for the general people.