Oral health‐related quality of life and its relationship with health locus of control among Indian dental university students

Abstract

The objectives of this study were to assess the relationship between Oral Health-Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL) and Health Locus of Control (HLC) among students in an Indian dental school. A cross sectional study design was used. Three hundred and twenty-five dental students returned completed forms containing the 14 item Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14) and the 18 item Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Scale (MHLC). The results showed that the perceived OHRQoL differed among students studying in different stages of the dental course. The OHRQoL dimensions of 'Social Handicap' and 'Handicap' were significantly (P < 0.01) lower among the later years of the course than the freshman year students. There was a sharp increase in Self-reported dental problems, in particular, Malocclusion, Tooth decay, Calculus among the third year and final year students respectively. The OHIP-14 scores were significantly higher among those with self-reported oral problems. Correlation analysis between the OHIP-14 and the MHLC scores also showed a statistically significant (P < 0.01) correlation between the 'Chance' dimension of the MHLC and OHIP-14 scores. The results of this study underscored the relationship between the OHRQoL and HLC and of importance of assessing health attitudes and their impact on OHRQoL among the dental student community.