Oral status, sense of coherence, religious-spiritual coping, socio-economic characteristics, and quality of life in young patients.

Abstract

Several factors can influence the oral health. To explore the clinical factors, individual characteristics, and environmental factors (religious-spiritual coping-RSC, sense of coherence [SOC], and socio-economic status) related to oral status and impact on oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) of children/adolescents (C/A). This study evaluated C/A up to 15years old and their caregivers. Number of decayed (NDT) and missing teeth (NMT); history of dental trauma; caregiver's RSC and SOC, socio-economic factors, and OHRQoL were evaluated. Theoretical model exploring the direct and indirect effects was tested using a structural equation analysis. For younger group (0-6years), having more NDT or more NMT had a greater impact on the OHRQoL (β=0.382, β=0.203, respectively). In the oldest group (7-15years), a higher SOC had an inverse relationship with the impact on the family OHRQoL (β=-0.201). The higher the age of the C/A, the lower the NDT (β=-0.235), and the higher the family income the lower, the need for social benefit (β=0.275). Indirect relationships were observed between schooling with social benefit and OHRQoL in younger group. The family income indirectly influenced the OHRQoL in oldest group. Quality of life is affected directly and indirectly by environmental characteristics, oral status, and the age of patients.