Factors associated with oral health-related quality of life in homeless persons: a cross-sectional study

A cross-sectional study on oral health-care habits and oral-health-related quality-of-life in marginalized persons in Copenhagen

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this cross-sectional study was to investigate the oral-health-related quality-of-life (OHRQoL) and oral health-care habits in a population of marginalized persons in Copenhagen.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients attending a dental clinic for marginalized persons filled in the 14-item version of the oral-health-impact profile (OHIP-14) regarding their OHRQoLand a questionnaire on their oral health-care habits. Age, gender, smoking habits, need for general and oral health-care, and living conditions were further registered.

RESULTS

Of the 212 participants, 72% had not visited a dental clinic within the past two years and in 68% of the cases, the last dental visit was related to dental treatment. Tooth brushing at least once a day was reported by 93%. The mean OHIP-14 score in the participants was 24.9 (SD: 13.6). The most frequent problems were pain, chewing difficulties, being self-conscious, tense, and embarrassed as well as affected life. The mean OHIP-14 score was significantly higher in participants in need of general health-care (29.5, SD: 12.2) than in participants not in need of general health-care (22.8, SD: 13.9). The same applied to participants referred for dental treatment (26.1, SD: 12.7) compared to participants not being referred (20.2, SD: 15.9).

CONCLUSIONS

The OHRQoLis poor in the population with pain, chewing difficulties and aesthetic issues as the most prominent problems. The participants had low and treatment-oriented use of the dental care system. This indicates a high need for dental care in the population with a focus on including them in the dental care system.

Factors in oral-related quality of life of betel quid users receiving oral mucosal screening: a cross‑sectional study in Taiwan

BACKGROUND

Betel quid (BQ) chewing is associated with poor oral hygiene, psychological impairment, and acute and long-term addictive effects, resulting in worse oral-related quality of life (OHRQoL). The purpose of this study was to characterize the factors associated with OHRQoL among BQ users receiving oral mucosal screening.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted. Data were collected by random sampling of BQ users who visited outpatient departments receiving oral mucosal screening in a medical center Taiwan. The oral health assessment tool, the state anxiety inventory, the betel quid dependence scale, and the oral health impact profile were used to measure oral health status, anxiety, BQ dependence, and OHRQoL, respectively. Pearson's product-moment coefficient was used to examine the relationship between OHRQoL and the selected independent variables. Independent-samples t-test was used to compare OHRQoL by annual family income, the presence of chronic disease, and BQ dependence. Hierarchical multiple linear regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with OHRQoL.

RESULTS

A total of 175 BQ users were surveyed. Factors associated with OHRQoL included oral health status, anxiety, and BQ dependence. BQ users reporting low oral health status, greater anxiety, and more BQ dependence were more likely to have worse OHRQoL.

CONCLUSIONS

Poor oral health status, anxiety, and BQ dependence negatively impact on OHRQoL among patients with BQ use receiving oral mucosal screening.