Perception Of Oral Health Research Articles

Oral health literacy, oral health behaviours and dental outcomes.

Data sourcesEight electronic databases were searched: Medline (through PubMed), ISI Web of Science, Scopus, The Cochrane Library, National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence, Lilacs and the Brazilian Library of Dentistry, Controlled-trials database of Clinical Trials and Clinical Trials-US National Institute of Health. A grey literature search was also conducted and reference lists of included studies were interrogated.Study selectionInclusion criteria were studies which examined the relationship between oral health literacy and one of the pre-defined outcomes including oral health behaviours, perception, knowledge and dental treatment outcomes. Epidemiological studies (such a case-control, cohort, cross-sectional and clinical trials) were included but qualitative studies, systematic reviews and those which examined unrelated outcomes were excluded.Data extraction and synthesisTwo independent reviewers carried out screening, risk of bias assessment and data extraction for all studies against pre-agreed inclusion and exclusion criteria. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (a modified version for cross-sectional studies) and the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool were used for quality appraisal. A narrative synthesis was presented, with meta-analysis of a small sub-group of studies relating to one outcome.ResultsTwenty-five studies were included in the final review; 21 cross-sectional, two cohort, one case-control and one clinical trial. Most (17) were considered to be at high risk of bias and there was a high degree of clinical and methodological heterogeneity. No evidence was found of a significant association between oral health literacy and the outcomes considered.ConclusionsThe authors concluded that the current scientific evidence suggests that no association exists between oral health literacy and any of the outcomes investigated. Further prospective studies with high methodological quality are needed.

Self-report oral health and disease experience among adults in China and NZ.

Differences in oral health perceptions complicate comparisons of self-reported oral health in countries with considerably different cultures, traditions, and dental care. We compared it in China and New Zealand (NZ), to determine whether adults in those countries differ in how self-report oral health item responses distinguish those with different clinical oral disease states. Analysis of representative data on dentate 35-44-year-olds and 65-74-year-olds from the 3rd National Oral Health Survey of China in 2005 (for Sichuan province) and the NZ Oral Health Survey in 2009. Self-rated oral health in the Chinese survey was assessed by asking "Overall, how would you rate your oral health?"(responses: "Very poor," "Poor," "Fair," "Good," and "Very good"). The NZ survey asked "How would you describe the health of your teeth or mouth?" (responses: "Excellent," "Very good," "Good," "Fair," or "Poor"). To enable comparability, these were combined to create a four-category ordinal measure of self-reported oral health. The slope index of inequality (SII) and the relative index of inequality (RII) determined the extent to which the four-category self-report item distinguished those with better or poorer oral status. A higher proportion of Chinese than NZ 35-44-year-olds rated their oral health as poor or fair, and the NZ proportion rating their oral health as very good was four times that observed among Chinese. The 65-74-year-olds differed even more in their overall responses. For most aspects of clinical disease experience, the two populations were responding similarly to the self-reported oral health item, although the SII and RII values were more pronounced among 35-44-year-olds in NZ than in China; among 65-74-year-olds, both countries were more similar. Chinese and NZ adults' self-ratings reflect their oral disease experience in largely similar ways, despite considerable absolute differences. These findings support the cross-cultural applicability of self-report oral health measures.

A Therapeutic Educational Program in Oral Health for Persons with Schizophrenia: A Qualitative Feasibility Study.

Objective The aim of this study was to test the feasibility of a therapeutic educational program in oral health (TEPOH) for persons with schizophrenia (PWS). Design In a qualitative study, we explored the representation of oral health before and after a TEPOH. Clinical Setting: PWS are at greater risk of decayed and missing teeth and periodontal diseases. In a previous publication, we described the different steps in building a TEPOH by taking into account the experiences of PWS concerning oral health quality of life. This TEPOH aimed at promoting a global health approach. Participants: Voluntary PWS and their caregivers were recruited during face-to-face interviews at “Les Boisseaux” (a psychiatric outpatient centre) in Auxerre (France) and were included in the study between November and December 2016. Intervention: We explored the experiences of participants and their perceptions of oral health before and after the TEPOH with focus group meetings. Results Four females and three males participated in the study, and the mean age was 29.4 ± 5. Before the TEPOH, the PWS produced 28 ideas about oral health perception and 37 after the TEPOH. After the TEPOH, elements relating to the determinants of oral health (smoking and poor diet) emerged. Conclusions These results show an evolution in oral health representation, and after some adjustments to the TEPOH, the second step will be to test this program in a large sample to generate a high level of evidence of the impact of TEPOH in the long term.

Is parental oral health literacy a predictor of children's oral health outcomes? Systematic review of the literature.

The scientific evidence regarding the association between parental oral health literacy (OHL) and children's oral health is unclear. To evaluate the scientific evidence concerning the association between parental OHL and children's oral health outcomes. Eight databases were searched. Studies that evaluated oral health outcomes among children and measured parental OHL through a validated tool were included. Two independent reviewers selected studies, extracted data and analysed the risk of bias. Eleven studies were included. Most (n=6) had a high risk of bias. Most studies evaluating dental caries found association between lower parental OHL and higher prevalence/experience of dental caries. Poor oral health-related quality of life was associated with decreased parental OHL (P<0.05). Studies diverged on the association between OHL and the number of filled, extracted teeth, and dental visits. There was no association between children's tooth brushing frequency, use of toothpaste, oral health claim, oral health expenditures and parental OHL. The literature was inconclusive regarding the association between night bottle feeding, negative parental perception of the child's oral health and OHL. Low parental OHL was associated with dental caries among their children. It is too soon to assume an association between OHL and the remaining outcomes.

An Analysis of Some University Students' Smoking Experience and Perception of Oral Health

An Analysis of Some University Students' Smoking Experience and Perception of Oral Health

Child and Parent Demographic Characteristics and Oral Health Perceptions Associated with Clinically Measured Oral Health.

To examine child and parent reports about the child's oral health and assess the associations of these reports with clinical assessments of oral health status by dental examiners. Surveys with 139 items for children and 133 items for parents were administered by Audio Computer-Assisted Self-Interview Software. In addition, the Children's Oral Health Status Index (COHSI) was computed from a dental examination. A total of 334 families with children ages 8 to 17 y participated at 12 dental practices in Los Angeles County. Ordinary least squares regression models were estimated separately for child and parent surveys to identify items uniquely associated with the COHSI. Ten of 139 items the children reported regarding their oral health were associated with the COHSI. The strongest associations were found for child's age, aesthetic factors (straight teeth and pleased with teeth), and cognitive factors related to perception of dental appearance (pleased/happy with the look of the child's mouth, teeth, and jaws). Nine of 133 parent items about the child's oral health were associated with the COHSI in the parent model, notably being a single parent, parent's gender, parent born in the United States, pleased or happy with the look of their child's teeth, and accessing the Internet. These child and parent survey items have potential to be used to assess oral health status for groups of children in programs and practices in lieu of dental screenings. The paper's results inform the development of a toolkit that can be used by schools, public health agencies, and dental programs to identify children with low oral health status based on parents' and children's responses to survey items across demographic, physical, mental, and social domains. These survey items can be used to inform parents of the desirability of proactively addressing inadequacies in their child's oral health status, enabling them to more rationally address dental needs.

Qualidade de vida e incapacidade funcional entre idosos cadastrados na estratégia de saúde da família

Introdução: O comprometimento da funcionalidade do idoso traz consequências prejudiciais relacionadas à família, comunidade e ao próprio sistema de saúde. Objetivo: Estimar a ocorrência da qualidade de vida (QV) ruim entre idosos, além de verificar sua associação com incapacidade funcional, características pessoais, comportamentos de saúde e condições subjetivas de saúde bucal. Métodos: Estudo epidemiológico avaliou 361 idosos com idade igual ou superior a 60 anos, cadastrados nas três Estratégias de Saúde da Família no município de Ibiaí-MG. A QV foi medida pelo WHOQOL-bref e as variáveis independentes foram características pessoais, comportamentos de saúde, condições subjetivas de saúde bucal e incapacidade funcional. Foram feitas regressões logísticas para estimativa dos modelos múltiplos e o modelo final foi ajustado, mantendo-se as variáveis associadas com p&lt;0,05. Resultados: No domínio físico, constatou-se menor chance de QV ruim entre idosos que possuíam hábitos etilistas, e maior chance entre os idosos que faziam uso de medicamento, que relataram percepção ruim/péssima da aparência dos dentes e gengivas e entre aqueles com incapacidade funcional. No domínio psicológico, observou-se menor chance de QV ruim entre homens, e maior chance entre os idosos que relataram percepção da saúde bucal como ruim/péssima e aqueles com incapacidade funcional. No domínio social, obteve-se maior chance de QV ruim entre idosos que relataram percepção ruim/péssima da aparência dos dentes e gengivas e que apresentaram incapacidade funcional. Conclusão: Constatou-se alta ocorrência de QV ruim entre idosos e evidenciou-se relação entre QV ruim e incapacidade funcional.

The influence of mothers’ oral health behaviour and perception thereof on the dental health of their children

The study aims to investigate how mothers' oral health behaviour and perception thereof influence the dental health in their children. A total of 556 Vietnamese mother-child pairs participated in the current study. Mothers self-reported their oral status and oral health behaviour and perception. Dental caries of the children were examined using the index of decayed, missing, and filled teeth. The Dental Anxiety Scale instrument was used to assess the dental anxiety level in mothers and children. Among mothers, 41.3% had gingival bleeding, 40% perceived their dentition and gingival status to be at a good level, 68% brushed their teeth more than twice a day, and 17% had never visited a dentist. Mothers' oral health behaviour and their perception thereof were positively correlated with their frequency of dental visits (r = (0.105-0.221), p < 0.001) and negatively correlated with dental anxiety (r = (- 0.149- - 0.105), p < 0.05).Caries-free children were positively correlated with mothers having more than 20 teeth (r = 0.085, p < 0.05). Positive correlations between mothers and children were found in terms of frequency of fresh fruits consumption (r = 0.090, p < 0.05), drinking sweet beverages (r = 0.072, p < 0.05), and dental anxiety (r = 0.183, p < 0.001). Maternal oral health was significantly associated with dental health of their children. Not only did maternal dental anxiety influence oral health of mothers but it was also a concomitant factor in the development of children's dental anxiety. The education programme on mothers' oral health-related knowledge can be a target for improvement of the oral health of mothers and children.

Individual and contextual factors associated to the self-perception of oral health in Brazilian adults

ABSTRACTOBJECTIVE To analyze how individual characteristics and the social context, together, are associated with self-perception of the oral health.METHODS A multilevel cross-sectional study with data from the Brazilian National Health Survey 2013, the United Nations Development Program, and the National Registry of Health Establishments. The explanatory variables for the “oral health perception” outcome were grouped, according to the study framework, into biological characteristics (sex, color, age), proximal social determinants (literacy, household crowding, and socioeconomic stratification), and distal (years of schooling expectancy at age 18, GINI, Human Development Index, and per capita income). The described analysis was performed, along with bivariate Poisson analysis and multilevel Poisson analysis for the construction of the explanatory model of oral health perception. All analyzes considered the sample weights.RESULTS Both the biological characteristics and the proximal and distal social determinants were associated with the perception of oral health in the bivariate analysis. A higher prevalence of bad oral health was associated to lower years of schooling expectancy (PR = 1.31), lower per capita income (PR = 1.45), higher income concentration (PR = 1.41), and worse human development (PR = 1.45). Inversely, oral health services in both primary and secondary care were negatively associated with oral health perception. All the biological and individual social characteristics, except reading and writing, made up the final explanatory model along with the distal social determinants of the Human Development Index and coverage of basic care in the multilevel analysis.CONCLUSIONS Biological factors, individual and contextual social determinants were associate synergistically with the population’s perception of oral health. It is necessary to improve individual living conditions and the implementation of public social policies to improve the oral health of the population.

Oral health and chemotherapy act as cofactors in malnutrition in the elderly withother cancers than head and neck malignancies.

This study explores whether the chemotherapy regimen has a role in inducing oral health problems and malnutrition in elderly patients with other cancers than head and neck malignancies. An observational cross-sectional study was designed to compare the relationships between oral health and nutritional status between four groups of elderly differing in cancer or chemotherapy regimen. Data were collected using a questionnaire including the Mini-Nutritional Assessment (MNA), the Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI) and questions about perception of xerostomia. The oral examinations recorded the number of functional dental units (PFU) and the presence of oral lesions. The sample comprised 46 patients receiving chemotherapy, 48 patients on a non-chemotherapy regimen, 45 persons in complete remission not under treatment and 53 non-cancer patients. Oral health perception was significantly worse in chemotherapy patients. They reported limiting the kinds of food they consumed, the discomfort felt when eating and took medications for oral pain. Oral lesions were frequent in chemotherapy participants. Nutritional status was related to the cancer treatment regimen (OR = 4.17; p value = 0.017), the presence of oral lesions (OR = 4.51; p value = 0.003), perception of xerostomia (OR = 3.54; p value = 0.012), the number of PFU (OR = 2.51; p value = 0.046) and GOHAI score (OR = 1.617; p value = 0.019). The presence of oral lesions and the chemotherapeutic regimen were highly associated with nutritional status in older patients with cancer. Dental professionals should be asked to intervene preventively and per-therapy to optimise oral health status in elderly patients with other cancers than head and neck malignancies.

Oral health knowledge, perceptions and practices among parents, guardians and teachers in South Wales, UK: A qualitative study.

Oral health knowledge, perceptions and practices among parents, guardians and teachers in South Wales, UK: A qualitative study.

Oral health self-perception, dental caries, and pain: the role of dental fear underlying this association.

Oral health perception has multidimensional nature and can be influenced not only by clinical conditions but also by psychosocial characteristics. Dental fear could modify the association between dental caries and dental pain and the perception of negative impact. A cross-sectional study was conducted with (n = 1,196) children aged 8-12 years attending public and private schools in Pelotas/Brazil. Children were interviewed and examined. Oral health perception was assessed using a global oral health impact item. Crude and adjusted multivariable regression models were built and effect modification of dental fear in the association between clinical indicators and perception of impact was tested. Compared with children without fear and caries, children with fear and dental caries presented a 1.45 higher prevalence of negative impact (95% CI: 1.18-1.79) while those without fear and with dental caries had a 1.31 higher prevalence (95% CI: 1.11-1.54) after adjustments. Also, the prevalence of negative perception was higher for children with fear and dental pain (PR: 2.95; 95% CI: 1.59-2.39) and for children without fear and with pain (PR: 1.53; 95% CI: 1.29-1.80), compared to children without fear and pain. The presence of fear increased the effect of pain and caries on children's oral health perception.

Social inequalities in oral health in a group of older people in a Middle Eastern country: a cross-sectional survey.

The percentage of Lebanese older people has increased considerably. Given that Lebanese seniors are marginalized in the health policy-making process, we suggest a high social inequality in oral health that has not been studied so far. The purpose of our study was to describe and compare oral health status in a group of Lebanese older people according to their socioeconomic status (SES) MATERIALS AND METHODS: Participants were recruited from three different primary health care clinics in Beirut, Lebanon. Data were collected from an administered questionnaire that included sociodemographic variables, perception of oral health, and regular dental visits. Oral examination included the number of missing and decayed teeth, the prosthetic status, and the number of functional dental units (FUs). The SES of the participants was determined by educational level, previous or actual work, and neighborhood level. 264 participants aged 71.4 ± 6.27years (64.7% female) were included in the study. Regular dental visit, dental status, FU, and oral health perception were significantly related to the participants' place of residence, educational level, and work. Moreover, the mean number of missing teeth (p = 0.048) and decayed teeth (p = 0.018) was significantly elevated in the low SES. There is a clear socioeconomic inequality in oral health among the Lebanese older people. Further researches should explore the potential contribution of psychosocial and behavioral factors in explaining these disparities.

Association of oral health literacy with oral health behaviors, perception, knowledge, and dental treatment related outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

To conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis regarding the association of oral health literacy (OHL) with oral health behaviors, perception, knowledge, and dental treatment related outcomes. Eight electronic databases were searched up until June 2017. Studies regarding the aforementioned outcomes measuring OHL through a validated instrument and in which OHL was an explanatory variable were included. Two independent reviewers selected studies, extracted data, and analyzed the risk of bias of the studies. Meta-analysis using random effect modeling was undertaken. Pooled estimates were calculated with 95 percent confidence interval (CI) and odds ratios (OR). Twenty-five studies were included in the systematic review and three in the meta-analysis. Most studies were cross-sectional (n = 21) and had a high risk of bias (n = 17). The meta-analysis showed no association between OHL and frequency of visit to the dentist for adults, either through bivariate analysis (OR = 1.25; 95 percent CI: 0.95-1.63) or multivariate analysis (OR = 1.90; 95 percent CI: 0.77-4.84). Dental anxiety and night bottle-feeding were associated with low OHL (P < 0.05). Most studies regarding tooth brushing frequency found no association with OHL. Most studies regarding oral health knowledge related outcomes reported an association with higher OHL. The literature was inconclusive regarding the association between OHL and dental treatment outcomes, oral health behaviors, and oral health perception. The current scientific evidence suggests that no association exists between OHL and any of the outcomes investigated. Further prospective studies with a higher methodological quality are necessary to confirm the evidence.

Qualidade de vida e percepção estética da cárie dentária

Objetive: To relate the aesthetic perception and the oral health-related quality of life in the presence of dental caries in schoolchildren. Methods: Cross-sectional study carried out in Araraquara, Sao Paulo, Brazil, from October 2014 to March 2015, with 260 schoolchildren aged 8 to 10 years, divided into clinical groups according to the presence of dental caries. The Child Perceptions Questionnaire and the Child Questionnaire About Teeth Appearance were applied and a clinical evaluation of permanent and deciduous dentition was conducted for detection of decayed, missing or filled teeth. Data was analyzed using the chi-square test and Mann-Whitney’s test, p ≤ 0.05. Results: Of the 260 students, 130 (50%) had caries disease, with the highest frequency (62.0%) in 8-year-olds. Socioeconomic variables, such as lower family income and lower maternal schooling, were associated with the dental caries group (p<0.05 and p<0.01, respectively). In the dental caries group, the domains oral symptoms (4.9 vs 6.6), emotional well-being (3.0 vs 4.7) and social well-being (2.2 vs 3.5) were higher than in the caries-free group. Regarding the aesthetic perception, the psychological domain (0.94 vs 1.27) and the overall perception of oral health (2.26 vs 2.93) were higher in the group with dental caries. In the linear regression, there was a significant contribution of the number of permanent decayed teeth and the dmft (decayed, missing and filled deciduous teeth) index to the worst perception of quality of life. Conclusion: Dental caries negatively affects aesthetic perception and quality of life in 8- to 10-year-old children.

Anxiety symptoms have a direct effect on oral health perception in young women.

Assess the influence of anxiety symptoms on oral health related-quality of life in young women from a cohort study in Southern Brazil. A sample of 535 young mothers were analyzed. Interviews and psychological evaluations were carried out by trained psychologists. The Brazilian version of the Corah's dental anxiety scale and the Beck anxiety inventory were used to evaluate dental anxiety and anxiety symptoms, respectively. The oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) was assessed by the Oral Impacts on Daily Performance instrument. Dental examinations were performed by trained dentists to assess oral health status (DMFT). The effect of anxiety symptoms on oral health-related quality of life was estimated using the parametric g-formula. The prevalence of negative impact on OHRQoL was of 46.3 and 28% of the women presented anxiety symptoms. Unadjusted analysis showed that women with anxiety symptoms had 2.5 higher impact on OHRQoL (OR 2.55; CI 95% 1.72-3.79). The parametric g-formula revealed that anxiety had a direct effect on oral health perception (OR 1.16; CI 95% 1.04-1.30), not mediated by dental anxiety. Oral health-related quality of life is influenced by anxiety symptoms, regardless of dental anxiety.

Factors associated with the use of dental health services

This paper seeks to analyze the factors associated with the use of dental health services (UDHS) by adults in the city of Corrientes, Argentina. A cross-sectional study was conducted. Information concerning the study variables was collected via a home survey. The sample size was established with a 95% confidence interval level (381 individuals). A simple random sampling design was used, which was complemented with a non-probability quota sampling. The data was analyzed using SPSS version 21.0 and Epidat version 3.1 softwares. Socio-economic level, dental health coverage, perception of oral health care, perception of oral health, knowledge about oral health, and oral hygiene habits were significantly associated with the UDHS over the last twelve months. These same factors, excluding dental health coverage and knowledge about oral health, were associated with the UDHS for routine dental check-ups. Measures should be implemented to increase the UDHS for prevention purposes in men and women of all socio-economic levels, particularly in less-privileged individuals.

Determinants of self-rated oral health among undergraduate students in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria

Background: Self-rated oral health is a useful and essential indicator of overall oral health status which has an impact on general well-being and quality of life. No study on the perception of oral health has been conducted among young adults in Port Harcourt. Thus, this study investigated whether sociodemographic factors and oral health practices were associated with self-reported oral health status in a young population in Port Harcourt.Methods: A cross-sectional survey conducted among young undergraduate students in the University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State. Data were collected using pre-tested self-administered questionnaires and analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 21.0.Results: There were 120 respondents, all within 16–34 years old, with the mean age of 21.7 ± 3.8 years. More females 61 (50.8%) than males 59 (49.2%). A total of 5 (4.2%) are married and 66 (55%) were in health sciences. Out of 42 (35.0%) of the respondents that had utilised dental service in the past; complaints of a toothache accounted for 52.4%. The percentages of participants that rated their oral health as excellent, good, fair and poor were 20.8%, 58.4%, 16.7% and 4.2%, respectively. Sociodemographics factors, such as age, gender, course of study, level of study and monthly allowance were significantly associated with self-rated oral health (P < 0.05). Oral health practices for example, previous dental visit, type of toothbrush used and frequency of tooth brushing were also significantly associated with perceived oral health.Conclusions: The perceived high oral health status of participants was influenced by sociodemographic factors and oral health practices. However, there is poor utilisation of dental services among the students.

Relationship among oral health perception, oral health practices, and health-promoting lifestyle in soldiers

Relationship among oral health perception, oral health practices, and health-promoting lifestyle in soldiers

Tooth loss in middle-aged adults with diabetes and hypertension: Social determinants, health perceptions, oral impact on daily performance (OIDP) and treatment need.

BackgroundThis study aimed to explore the association between tooth loss and social determinants, health self-perceptions, OIDP and self-concept of dental treatment need in middle-aged adults with diabetes and hypertension.Material and MethodsA cross-sectional study was developed with 212 hypertensive and diabetic middle-aged adults (50-65 years). Data were collected from clinical examinations (DMFT) and a questionnaire regarding socioeconomic status, dental health assistance, self-perceptions of oral and general health, OIDP, and the self-concept of dental treatment need. Tooth loss was dichotomized considering the cutoff point of 12 (Model I) or 24 missing teeth (Model II). Data were analyzed using Chi-square, Fisher’s exact test and logistic regression (p≤0.05).ResultsTooth loss was significantly associated with variables such as last dental visit, reason for dental visit, OIDP, perception of dental treatment need, and general self-perception (Model I). Schooling, last dental visit, oral health self-perception and perception of dental treatment need were significantly associated with tooth loss in the Model II. When Model 1 and 2 were adjusted, they demonstrated that last dental visit and perception of dental treatment need were predictor variables.ConclusionsThe annual dental visit and the self-concept of dental treatment need were associated with tooth loss, demonstrating that these variables reduce the tooth loss prevalence. Key words:Access /barriers to care, Dental treatment, Geriatric dentistry.