Self-perceived Oral Health Research Articles

Oral Health-Related Knowledge, Attitude and Practice among Patients in Rural Areas around Cluj-Napoca, Romania.

The intent of the KAP (knowledge, attitude, practices) survey is to collect information about a specific target group related to their knowledge, what they consider to be known, and what they do about a particular topic. The aim of this study was to identify the level of importance of oral health, especially the level of knowledge, attitude and practices of rural patients around Cluj-Napoca, Romania. Material and methods: A questionnaire consisting of five parts was used, trying to assess the self-perception of oral health, knowledge and attitude towards oral health, dental hygiene practices and eating habits. A clinical examination was also performed in order to identify the number of missing teeth, the caries and the presence of calculus. Results: The study revealed that most patients have an average and good self-perception of oral health, although three-quarters of them have calculus deposits, and about half of them have more than three carious lesions and at least one extracted tooth. There is also a discrepancy between declared knowledge of oral health, eating habits and dental practices. Conclusions: The basic knowledge of rural patients about oral health can be considered satisfactory, but the practices, unfortunately, do not reflect this knowledge.

Oral cancer and bucco-maxillo-facial surgery: a systematic review of clinical findings

Introduction: In the context of oral cancer management, it is a multidisciplinary effort, as each patient presents physicians with a unique set of challenges whose management impacts both survival and quality of life. Oral and maxillofacial surgery remains the mainstay of treatment. Oral cancer (OC) has a high incidence and mortality and is among the 10 (ten) most common pathologies in the world, Brazil today represents alarming public health. OC awareness is low, especially in terms of knowledge of signs and symptoms. Also, self-examination is relatively fast, inexpensive, and simple to perform. The diagnostic accuracy of the oral self-examination needs to be established first before advocating it as a potential screening tool for early detection. Objective: the present study aimed to carry out a systematic review of the main clinical findings on the surgical treatment of oral cancer by dentists. Methods: The rules of the Systematic Review-PRISMA Platform. The research was carried out in December 2021 to February 2022 and developed based on Scopus, PubMed, Science Direct, Scielo, and Google Scholar. The quality of the studies was based on the GRADE instrument and the risk of bias was analyzed according to the Cochrane instrument. Results: A total of 243 articles were found. In total, 104 articles were fully evaluated and 25 were included and evaluated in this study. there was a positive impact of CAD/CAM mandibular reconstruction on mastication and swallowing function after surgery for locally advanced oral cancer for the first time. Therefore, neoadjuvant chemotherapy plays a potential role in mandibular preservation in oral cancers with acceptable toxicities and without compromise in survival. The low prevalence of oral self-examination was more common among the elderly, being more common to oral cancer. Thus, educational actions can influence people's self-perception of their oral condition. In this way, the studies showed that to achieve the success of the surgical treatment of oral cancer, it is necessary for the individuals themselves to expand the self-examination care, linked to the evaluation and early diagnosis of dental surgeons. Conclusion: The studies showed that to achieve the success of the surgical treatment of oral cancer, it is necessary that self-perception of oral health, one of the components of quality of life, refers to a subjective experience of the individual about their functional, social and psychological well-being.

Association between self-reported dental fear and exposure to violence among adolescents-A population-based study.

The etiology of dental fear (DF) is multifactorial and involves other contributing factors than dental traumatic experiences. To study, among adolescents, associations between DF and exposure to child physical abuse (CPA), intimate partner violence (IPV), and bullying. We extracted data from a population-based survey of 4977 adolescents who were 15-17years old in 2017. The questionnaire queried socioeconomic background factors, DF, self-perceived oral health, general health, and exposure to child abuse. To estimate associations between DF and exposure to child abuse, we used multivariate logistic regression analysis. Overall, 8.2% reported DF, girls (10.5%) reported DF significantly more often than boys (5%), and adolescents not identifying themselves as girl or boy reported the highest prevalence of DF (25.5%; p<.001). 15.3% had been exposed to child physical abuse; 11.1%, to IPV; and 11.2%, to bullying. Experiences of IPV and bullying, but not physical abuse, were statistically significantly associated with DF. The odds of developing DF for adolescents exposed to any type of violence was 1.9 times the odds for adolescents with no exposure to child abuse. Exposure to violence is associated with dental fear in adolescents.

Socioeconomic and Demographic Contexts of Brazilian and International University Students Regarding the Use of Dental Services.

This article characterizes the different socioeconomic and demographic contexts regarding the use and access to dental services by Brazilian and African students at a Brazilian university of international nature. This is a cross-sectional, analytical, observational study with a quantitative approach, with data produced by 350 students from a public university in the state of Ceará. Sociodemographic and economic factors, participation in educational activities, self-perception of oral health, and use of dental services by academics were analyzed. The results obtained indicated that of the university students participating in the study, 74.0% had already used dental services, of which 57.43% were Brazilian and 42.57% international. There was a significant association between being a Brazilian academic and having already used dental services, having an income less than or equal to the minimum wage, and having used the public dental service. The determination of the prevalence of use of dental services and the different contexts of university students can assist in planning future actions in oral health that prioritize groups of university students with greater difficulties in the use and access of these services.

Burning Mouth Syndrome (BMS)-Treatment with Verbal and Written Information, B Vitamins, Probiotics, and Low-Level Laser Therapy: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Background: The objective of this study was to determine the most effective treatment option for burning mouth syndrome. Methods: Informative treatment alone, B vitamin injections, oral cavity probiotics, and low-level laser therapy were evaluated and compared. The study included new patients diagnosed with burning mouth syndrome, who were randomly allocated into one of four treatment groups. The primary outcome was improvement in patient’s quality of life as determined by a self-perceived Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14) quality of life questionnaire before and after therapy. The secondary outcome was determination of mucosal symptom intensity according to visual analog scale (VAS) grading from 0 to 10. Data were submitted to statistical analysis. Results: A total of 62 patients completed the study. Oral cavity probiotics and LLLT scores for OHIP-14 resulted in a statistically significant difference before and after therapy. Standardized effect sizes between OHIP scores before and after treatment were the greatest for patients who had received oral cavity probiotics. Conclusions: Oral cavity probiotics and LLLT were the most effective treatment for improvement in quality of life. Further investigation on a larger group of patients is required.

Association between Rheumatoid Arthritis and Poor Self-Perceived Oral Health in Korean Adults.

Background and objective: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and oral health problems have been reported as specific disease units; however, this study was conducted to evaluate the association between RA and comprehensive oral health status. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the association between RA and oral health using self-perceived oral health (SPOH) variables that can determine the oral health status in Korean adults using representative national data. Methods: Data from 40,186 selected participants were collected from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) between 2007 and 2018. The prevalence relative risk (PRR) was estimated using Poisson regression analysis to obtain the risk ratio of the SPOH according to RA. Results: The risk of SPOH depending on the RA status was statistically significant (odds ratio [OR] = 1.108, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.005–1.222). In addition, the risk of SPOH depending on the RA status was higher in the group with diabetes mellitus (DM) (OR = 1.205, 95% CI 0.966–1.503) than in the group without DM (OR = 1.088, 95% CI 0.976–1.214). Conclusions: In this study, a significant association was identified between RA and SPOH. Oral health experts should identify the factors affecting the oral health of patients with RA and provide correct oral health care; however, additional research is needed.

Validation of the brazilian version of the oral health impact profile - Aesthetic questionnaire.

The aim of the study was to develop the Brazilian version of the Oral Health Impact Profile - Aesthetic Questionnaire (OHIP-Aes-Braz) and test its psychometric properties. The questionnaire test versions were developed by a panel of experts and a pre-test was conducted in a focus group. Data used for testing its psychometric properties were obtained from a randomized controlled clinical trial on tooth bleaching. Seventy-nine Brazilian adults were included. The questionnaires were applied before tooth bleaching treatment (baseline), one week (T1), and one month after the intervention (T2). Reliability was assessed in terms of internal consistency and stability, while validity was ascertained by criterion and construct validity. The sensitivity to change was assessed comparing the total scores at baseline and T2, using the Wilcoxon test (α = 0.05). Both stability and internal consistency (intra-class correlation coefficient=0.95, Cronbach's α = 0.92) proved to be adequate. Construct validity was confirmed as the correlation between OHIP-Aes-Braz scores with tooth color satisfaction and self-perceived oral health were in the expected direction. A positive correlation between OHIP-Aes-Braz and OHIP-14 (rs=0.63) and OIDP (rs=0.77) was observed. The instrument was responsive once differences in total scores before and after treatment were statistically significant (p<0.001). The OHIP-Aes-Braz presented good psychometric properties and showed sensitivity to change regarding aesthetics evaluation in Brazilian adults treated with tooth bleaching. A valid and reliable instrument allows a suitable assessment of oral health-related quality of life in Brazilian patients submitted to aesthetics dental interventions.

Self-perception of oral health among tertiary-care users: quanti-qualitative analysis with chronic kidney disease patients

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) has become a global public health challenge. The objective of this study was to analyze the relationship between self-perception of oral health and clinical condition among patients with CKD. This is a quanti-qualitative survey conducted in a CKD specialized service. The sample consisted of 60 patients who underwent oral examinations to have their severity of caries (DMFT) and need for dental prosthesis checked. Age, sex, time on dialysis, marital status, skin color, education and pre-existing diseases were also analyzed. Among the kidney patients who agreed to undergo the clinical examinations and showed communication skills, some were selected, and three focus groups were created, with the participation of a moderator and six to 10 kidney patients in each group. Their speeches were processed in the IRAMUTEQ software and analyzed through the similarity analysis and word cloud techniques. As for profile, the patients were aged 60.23 ± 10.87 years old; were male (73.33%); were on dialysis for 41.90 ± 56.57 months; were married (61.67%); were white (76.67%); had incomplete primary education (41.66%); had arterial hypertension (76.67%); had a DMFT index of 22.55 ± 8.39; 43.33% needed an upper complete denture; and 30.00% needed a lower complete denture. The similarity analysis revealed many doubts and uncertainties about current health services, which can be proven by the words ‘no’ and ‘treatment’. The quanti-qualitative analysis showed a high rate of dental loss and the need for complete dentures and suggests inequities in oral health care for chronic kidney disease patients, especially in tertiary care. There was a positive representation regarding oral health, but the lexicographical analyses of the textual corpus confirmed the self-perception of lack of dental care.

Pathways of socioeconomic inequalities in self-perceived oral health.

Although there is a large body of evidence of the influence of social determinants on oral health, information on the mechanisms by which these determinants operate is poorly documented. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the pathways through which socioeconomic inequalities may influence self-perceived oral health (SPOH) in Brazilian adults. This cross-sectional study used data from the National Health Survey (NHS) of 2019, with a representative sample of adults aged 18 to 59 years (n = 65,803). The outcome was SPOH, assessed by a global self-item. Structural equation modeling was used to test direct and indirect pathways connecting a latent variable for socioeconomic position (SEP) to SPOH via psychosocial, behavioral, and biological factors. Higher SEP was directly associated with better SPOH [standardized coefficient (SC) = 0.069; p < 0.01)] fewer depressive symptoms (SC = -0.059; p < 0.01), fewer missing teeth (SC = 0.131; p < 0.01), and more healthy behaviors (SC = 0.643; p < 0.01). Fewer depressive symptoms (SC = -0.141; p < 0.01), more healthy behaviors (SC = 0.242; p < 0.01), and fewer missing teeth (SC = 0.058; p < 0.01) were directly associated with good SPOH. Among specific indirect effects of SEP on SPOH, the behavioral pathway was the one that best explained this association (SC = 0.155). Socioeconomic inequities in SPOH are mediate by psychosocial, behavioral, and biological factors. This has implications for positioning health strategies in the social context in which people live, to facilitate healthy choices and promote good oral health.

Self-reported oral health and normative indices of dental caries among adolescents: a cohort study.

This study assessed the association between self-reported oral health and the normative indices of dental caries in an adolescent population. This study is based on a 6-year data from a cohort, beginning in 2012, with 1,134 twelve-year-old adolescents. After three phases of data collection, 68% of the samples were followed up. Self-reported oral health was evaluated through the question: "Would you say that the health of your teeth, lips, jaws, and mouth is …?", and answers were categorized as "good" or "poor." Calibrated dentists examined clinical conditions using the decayed, missing, and filled teeth (DMFT) index. Statistical analysis was performed using multilevel logistic regression models, considering the dependence of those observed thrice and adjusted for demographic, socioeconomic, and dental visit variables. Adolescents who evaluated their oral health as poor had higher mean DMFT (OR: 1.35; CI95% 1.22-1.50). When evaluated separately, decayed (OR: 2.43; CI95% 1.83-3.23) and missing (OR: 3.94; CI95% 1.26-12.26) teeth also presented significant results, showing poor self-reported oral health associated with a higher mean. Adolescents' self-perceived oral health was associated with normative dental caries indices, and this association was maintained throughout adolescence.

Factors associated with dentists' search for oral health information during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The aim of this cross-sectional study was to evaluate the factors associated with the search by Brazilian and Portuguese dentists for oral health information on social networks during the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of 597 Brazilian and Portuguese dentists answered an online questionnaire between January 17 and 31, 2021. Respondents were asked about sociodemographic data, weight and height, hours of sleep per night, screen time for work and leisure, and where they sought information about general and/or oral health for themselves and for their loved ones and information about COVID-19. Descriptive statistics and binary regression were used for the statistical analysis. Most participants were Brazilian (62.8%) and 451 (75.5%) were female. Mean age was 42.1 years (± 12.5 years). For every lost hour of sleep, the chances of participants frequently or always searching for information about self-perceived oral health problems on lay websites increased by 1.33 times. For every additional hour spent on social networks or on the Internet, the likelihood of participants frequently searching for self-perceived oral health problems on lay websites increased by 17% (OR = 1.17; 95% CI: 1.06-1.30). Individuals who searched the Internet for information about COVID-19 symptoms before consulting their doctors were 3.85 times more likely (95% CI: 2.22-6.67) to frequently or always search for information about self-perceived oral health problems on lay websites. Dentists used lay websites to search for general and oral health knowledge during the COVID-19 pandemic, and shorter sleep duration favored screen use.

Factors Associated With Self-Perception in Oral Health of Pregnant Women.

BackgroundHealth perception is a subjective predictor of long-term morbidity and mortality. Few studies address the perception that pregnant women have of their oral health.ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to explore the relationship between socioeconomic factors and self-assessment of oral health in pregnant women from Cali, Colombia.MethodA cross-sectional study was carried out with a sample of 998 pregnant women, calculated using the formula to estimate a proportion in finite populations, with a confidence level of 95%. A questionnaire was applied for sociodemographic characterization, as well as to enquire about oral health perception, knowledge, and practices of oral health.ResultsThe mean age of the surveyed mothers was 24.7, with a standard deviation of 6.1, of which 23.6% were adolescents. The perception they had about their oral health status was considered good by 60.8%. Of the 82.9% who reported having attended dentistry, more than half perceived good oral health. Pregnant women with no history of oral problems, with a perception of medium or high income, and with good oral hygiene practices tend to have a good perception of their oral health.ConclusionPregnant women with no history of oral problems, with a perception of medium or high income, and with good oral hygiene practices tend to have a good perception of their oral health.

Oral Health and Patterns of Dental Visits Among Diabetic Patients in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia.

PurposeDiabetes is a big public health threat in Saudi Arabia. However, there is limited evidence about dental problems, oral hygiene practices, and dental visits among diabetic patients. The study aimed to evaluate self-perceived oral health status and patterns of dental attendance among diabetic patients in the Eastern province of Saudi Arabia.MethodologyThis cross-sectional study included 486 diabetic patients (mean age 50.14±13.59 years) registered with the Saudi Diabetes Society, Saudi Arabia (October–November 2020). The World Health Organization’s oral health questionnaire for adults was administered to collect information about oral health status, oral hygiene practices, and dental attendance, in addition to sociodemographic data. Descriptive and analytical statistics were performed.ResultsMost participants (66.3%) reported having dental pain or discomfort during the last year. Bad breath (60.50%), tooth cavities (55.10%), difficulty in biting hard food (55.10%), tooth sensitivity (53.30%), and bleeding gums (52.90%) were common oral problems among participants. More than half the sample (55.1%) reported visiting the dental office during the last year. However, pain or trouble with teeth, gums or mouth was the most common (40.5%) reason for the last dental visit. Only 7.8% of participants visited the dentist for a routine dental check-up. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that Saudi nationality (AOR 2.68, P 0.008), family history of diabetes (AOR 1.88, P 0.022), and having pain during the last year (AOR 4.01, P <0.001) were the significant factors associated with the last dental visit due to pain.ConclusionThis sample of participants demonstrated a high prevalence of dental problems. Few participants performed routine dental visits and most visits were due to pain. Saudis and patients with family history of diabetes and dental pain were more likely to perform pain related dental visits. Multidisciplinary efforts are needed to develop and implement preventive educational and clinical care models for positive oral and general health outcomes.

The Association between Malnutrition and Oral Health in Older People: A Systematic Review

The aim of this systematic review was to examine the association between malnutrition and oral health in older people (≥ 60 years of age). A comprehensive systematic literature search was performed in four databases (PubMed, CINAHL, Dentistry and Oral Sciences Source, and Embase) for literature from January 2000 to May 2020. Both observational and intervention studies were screened for eligibility. Two reviewers independently screened the search results to identify potential eligible studies, and assessed the methodological quality of the full-text studies. A total of 3240 potential studies were identified. After judgement for relevance, 10 studies (cross-sectional (n = 9), prospective cohort (n = 1)) met the inclusion criteria. Three studies described malnourished participants as having fewer teeth, or functional (tooth) units (FTUs), compared to well-nourished participants. Four studies reported soft tissue problems in malnourished participants, including red tongue with blisters, and dry or cracked lips. Subjective oral health was the topic in six studies, with poorer oral health and negative self-perception of oral health in malnourished elderly participants. There are associations between (at risk of) malnutrition and oral health in older people, categorized in hard and soft tissue conditions of the mouth, and subjective oral health. Future research should be focused on longitudinal cohort studies with proper determination of malnutrition and oral health assessments, in order to evaluate the actual association between malnutrition and oral health in older people.

Dental Students' Oral Health-Related Quality of Life and Temporomandibular Dysfunction-Self-Rating versus Clinical Assessment.

The aim of this study was to compare dental students’ self-perception of oral health with the results of a clinical examination of the masticatory system. Seventy-four dental students (38 (51.4%) females and 36 (48.6%) males) completed the Oral Health Impact Profile questionnaire (OHIP-G-14) and underwent a clinical examination according to the Graz Dysfunction Index (GDI). Data were analyzed with descriptive and comparative statistics. Median OHIP-G-14 scores were 3 (IQR 0–6) in the total collective, 4 (1–11) in females, and 2 (0–4) in males (p = 0.072). A score of 0 was found in 29.7% of the sample. The results of the GDI were 50% “normal function”, 43.2% “adaptation”, 5.4% “compensation”, and 1.4% “dysfunction”. The comparison of OHIP-G-14 scores and DGI groups showed a significant difference (p = 0.031). Based on the questionnaire, less than one third of the sample indicated maximum oral health-related quality of life. In contrast, the GDI revealed “normal function” or “adaptation” in 93.2%. Dental students underappreciated their oral health condition. Health assessments should not be solely questionnaire-based, especially in health professionals (-to-be). To establish a valid diagnosis of the state of health, self-assessment must be complemented by an objective clinical examination, e.g., GDI.

Prevalence and factors associated with the need for removable prostheses in brazilian elderly

Objective: This study aimed to identify the prevalence and factors associated with the need for removable prostheses in the elderly Brazilian population. In addition, its impact on eating difficulties and self-perceived oral health was determined. Methodology: This cross-sectional, population-based study used data from the last National Health Survey (NHS) carried out in Brazil. Chi-square test was used to initially analyze the data, followed by multiple Poisson regression to obtain adjusted prevalence ratios. Results: A total of 11,697 elderly people were included, of whom 90.8% needed removable prostheses. Complete dentures were needed in 40.9% of participants, while partial dentures were needed by 49.9%. The elderly who were older (p=0.001), had grayish-brown complexion (p=0.004), a low level of education (p&lt;0.001), and multiple chronic diseases (p&lt;0.001) had a greater need for removable prostheses. Successively, this need had an impact on poor self-perceived oral health (p&lt;0.001) and greater difficulties in eating (p&lt;0.001). Conclusion: The need for a removable prosthesis is associated with worse socioeconomic and health conditions. In addition, it has a negative impact on self-perceived oral health and feeding.

Evaluation of a Series of Overdentures Made in a Higher Education Dental Institution in Southern Brazil

This study aimed to evaluate the epidemiological profile, oral health self-perception index, and level of satisfaction of users of complete implant-supported overdentures that had been used for at least 1 year and were made at the School of Dentistry of the University of Passo Fundo, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil (FO/UPF), between 2014 and 2019. The sample consisted of 30 patients with overdentures, who were selected from the dental records filed at the institution. Data on general health and the dental implants involved (brand, type of prosthetic connection, number of implants, and additional overdenture retention system) were collected from the medical records. The 30 patients were invited to answer the Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14) and visual analog scale (VAS) questionnaires, and due to the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, it was possible to contact 15 patients. Most of the prostheses studied were mandibular overdentures, and 66.66% of the cases were retained by the O-ring system. As for the oral health self-perception of the individuals, it was concluded that male patients had a lower mean overall score (p = 0.047) and functional domain (p = 0.042) in the OHIP-14. The number of implants and the installation arch interfered with functional domain and psychological capacity (p <0.05). The VAS showed that women have greater esthetic satisfaction with prostheses (p = 0.048) and that the bar-clip retention system is more satisfactory than the O-ring (p = 0.017). Despite the limitations of overdentures, it was noted that, when properly indicated, they are a viable option for oral rehabilitation on implants. Oral rehabilitation well-indicated with overdentures, especially those retained by the bar-clip system, results in an improvement in the patients' quality of life.

Oral Health as a Predictor of Physical Frailty among Rural Community-Dwelling Elderly in an Agricultural County of Taiwan: A Cross-Sectional Study.

We conducted a cross-sectional study to clarify the relationship between oral health and physical frailty (PF). A sample of 903 community-dwelling individuals aged ≥ 65 years were enrolled from random communities in Chiayi County. The self-perceived oral health (SPOH) and oral health assessment tool (OHAT), which consists of eight items, was used for the evaluation of their oral health status. PF was assessed based on the Study of Osteoporotic Fracture index. Overall, 14.6% of the participants had PF. In an adjusted model, restricted food types (odds ratio (OR) = 1.59, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.2–2.09, p = 0.001), self-reported dental status (OR = 1.61, 95% CI: 1.2–2.15, p = 0.001), number of teeth (OR = 0.98, 95% CI: 0.96–0.99, p = 0.006), frequency of tooth cleaning (OR = 0.83, 95% CI: 0.68–1.0, p = 0.049), OHAT score (OR = 1.09, 95% CI: 1.02–1.17, p < 0.017), and saliva items of OHAT (OR = 1.52, 95% CI: 1.11–2.1, p = 0.010) were significantly associated with PF. SPOH is a crucial indicator of PF; longitudinal analyses are necessary to understand the underlying pathway of risk factors for frailty onset.

Association between domestic violence and oral health conditions among adolescents

This study surveyed the oral health conditions of adolescents aged 15 to 19 years and their association with exposure to domestic violence. The study sample consisted of 333 adolescents enrolled in the State School System in the city of Olinda, PE, Brazil. Sociodemographic data, information on the participant’s oral health conditions, and their history of domestic physical violence were collected. The health-related variables analyzed included self-perceived oral health, history of toothache, and the frequency of toothbrushing and visits to the dentist. The data were entered into the Epi data 3.1 and analyzed in the SPSS program 23.0 by Pearson's Chi-square or Fisher's exact tests. There was a significant association of history of toothache and domestic violence with physical aggression from the mother (P = 0.001; OR = 2.39), a relative (P = 0.001; OR = 2.41) and any family member and/or with witnessing violent acts between the parents (P = 0.011; OR = 1.88). However, no association between physical violence and self-perceived oral health or the frequency of visits to the dentist was observed. To conclude, our findings indicate that the oral health conditions of adolescents may be directly associated with domestic violence.

Iniquidades socioeconômicas na saúde bucal de estudantes universitários do sul do Brasil

Objective: To identify the magnitude of the association between dental caries experience and negative self-perception of oral health with socioeconomic determinants. Methods: Cross-sectional study conducted with data from a prospective cohort with university students entering the Federal University of Pelotas (UFPel) in 2016. Data were collected through a self-administered questionnaire, including demographic, socioeconomic and psychosocial characteristics. The outcomes of the present study were experience of self-reported caries (history of caries disease) and self-perceived oral health (positive versus negative). Results: A total of 3,237 students joined, of which 2,089 (64.5%) agreed to participate in the study. The Poisson regression model known that university students with an income of R $ 1001 to 5000.00 and R $ 5001 or more primary, respectively, a prevalence ratio (PR) 14% (PR=0,86; 95%CI 0,80-0,92) and 18% (PR=0,82; 95%IC 0,74 a 0,90) lower of caries experience, as well as individualizing mothers had completed high school prevalence a 14% (PR= 0,86; 95%CI 0,80 a 0,92) lower prevalence and complete higher education 19% (PR= 0,81; 95%CI 0,75 a 0,87) less caries experience when compared to reference groups. In the self-perception of oral health, the results for income of R $ 1001 to 5000.00 and R $ 5001 or more dissipated, respectively, a 23% (PR= 0,77; 95%IC 0,64 a 0,91) and 43% (PR= 0,57; 95%IC 0,45 a 0,72) lower prevalence of having negative self-perception of oral health and qualified originating from complete higher education reported a 23% lower prevalence of negative self-perceived oral health when compared to the reference (PR= 0,79; 95%IC 0,66 a 0,97). Conclusions: The findings of the present study confirm that socioeconomic indicators influence the experience of caries and self-perceived oral health among university students.