Perfectionism, Self-Esteem, and Body Image Related to Self-Perception of Orofacial Appearance-Development and Validation of Psychometric Instrument

Effect of weight satisfaction on adolescent facial and dental satisfaction

PURPOSE

To investigate if facial and dental satisfaction is related to body fat percentage and body weight satisfaction.

METHODS

A self-administered questionnaire was applied to adolescents from a Private School in Southern Brazil containing sociodemographic (sex and age) and self-perception variables. Adolescents were asked about their perceptions concerning dental problems. Body fat percentage was collected using bioelectrical impedance analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 372 adolescents were examined. Most adolescents were satisfied with their dental (81.7%) and facial appearance (87.6%), while 39% of adolescents were satisfied with their body weight. Poisson regression model showed that adolescents who expressed satisfaction with their body weight (PR = 1.12, 95%CI 1.06-1.19) and were satisfied with their dental appearance (PR = 1.24, 95% CI 1.08-1.41) exhibited a positive association with facial satisfaction. Adolescents dissatisfied with dental color (PR = 0.88, 95%CI 0.80-0.97), those reporting dental pain (PR = 0.88, 95%CI 0.80-0.97), and individuals with obesity (PR = 0.91, 95%CI 0.83-0.99) demonstrated a decrease in facial satisfaction. Adolescents aged 16 to 19 years (PR = 1.08, 95% CI 1.01-1.15) and those satisfied with their facial appearance (PR = 1.20, 95%CI 1.01-1.43) exhibited a higher prevalence of dental satisfaction. Conversely, adolescents dissatisfied with dental color (PR = 0.74, 95% CI 0.66-0.82) and those with misaligned teeth (PR = 0.63, 95%CI 0.55-0.73) reported lower levels of dental satisfaction. Parametric g-formula analysis found that the association between body fat and facial satisfaction was mediated by body weight satisfaction (p = 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

While dental satisfaction was not influenced by corporeal characteristics, facial satisfaction was influenced by dental and body weight satisfaction. Obese adolescents had low facial satisfaction.

The relationship between perfectionism, self-perception of orofacial appearance, and mental health in college students

Background

In dental clinical practice, self-perception of orofacial appearance is highly correlated with treatment satisfaction. Therefore, it is important to explore factors correlated with self-perception of orofacial appearance. Perfectionism may be one such factor. This study investigated the role of perfectionism in self-perception of orofacial appearance.

Methods

Participants completed an online questionnaire that included demographic data, a measure of perfectionism, a measure of self-perception of orofacial appearance (including body image, smile appearance concern, and self-esteem), and a measure of anxiety and depression.

Results

High perfectionism scores significantly predicted greater age, body image, smile appearance concern, and mental health scores and lower self-esteem scores (p < 0.005). After adjusting for possible confounding variables, smile appearance concern largely disappeared. Mental health acted as a mediator in the relationships between perfectionism and three orofacial appearance characteristics.

Conclusion

High perfectionism predicted higher self-perception of body image, and lower mental health and self-esteem in college students. Mental health could mediate the relationships between perfectionism and self-perception of orofacial appearance.

Unveiling the Association between Body Image Dissatisfaction and Dental Anxiety

Background: Increased demands for invasive and non-invasive treatments related to body image disturbances are seen worldwide. These demands may be related to body image dissatisfaction. No study to date investigated the relationship between body image dissatisfaction and dental anxiety (namely, anticipatory dental anxiety and treatment dental anxiety) among a non-clinical population. The current study aims to unveil such relationships. Methods: Dentally anxious people may choose to ‘cope’ with their anxiety via unnecessary invasive procedures related to their body image dissatisfaction. In the current study, 553 individuals completed an online survey assessing their dental anxiety, dental neglect, and body image via self-report questionnaires. Results: Body image dissatisfaction was significantly correlated with dental anxiety. In contrast to previous studies, dental neglect was negatively associated with dental anxiety. Additionally, no link was found between body image dissatisfaction and dental neglect. Conclusions: The current study highlights the importance of addressing these factors prior to invasive procedures.