Factors influencing adolescents' oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL)

BackgroundOHRQoL comprises an apparently complex array of biological and psychological aspects of oral health. AimTo determine the relative contribution of sociodemographic, psychosocial, or clinical characteristics to OHRQoL in adolescents. DesignA cross-sectional study of Dunedin adolescents was carried out. Each participant completed a self-administered questionnaire and underwent a clinical examination. Information collected included sociodemographic characteristics (sex, ethnicity, and household deprivation), psychosocial characteristics (self-esteem, psychological well-being, somatisation, and self-perception scores for body image), and clinical measures (DMFS and Dental Aesthetic Index). OHRQoL was measured using the 16-item impact short-form CPQ(11-14) questionnaire. Linear regression analyses used the CPQ(11-14) as the dependent variable, with independent variables entered in related groups. ResultsThree hundred and fifty-three children (48.4% females) took part, representing a 58.8% response rate. Linear regression modelling of the CPQ(11-14) score showed that sociodemographic characteristics were predictors, but the model's overall explanatory power was low (R-2=0.05). This increased slightly with inclusion of the clinical variables. When the psychosocial variables were added, however, the R-2 increased to 0.50; all psychosocial variables (except self-esteem) were strongly associated with the CPQ(11-14) score. Psychological well-being was the strongest predictor. ConclusionPsychosocial characteristics are important contributors to OHRQoL in adolescents and appear to be more important than sociodemographic or clinical characteristics.