Oral health-related quality of life among Brazilian dental students

Abstract

This study was conducted to assess oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) among Brazilian dental students. A cross-sectional study was carried out involving 300 dental students at the Federal University of Parana, Brazil. To measure OHRQoL, the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14) was self-administered and a questionnaire was filled out addressing socio-demographic characteristics, health-related aspects and dental experience. Descriptive analysis was performed and both univariate and multivariate Poisson regression with robust variance were used to determine associations between OHRQoL and the covariables. The prevalence of reported impact on OHRQoL was 45 percent. The mean OHIP-14 score was 4.5. In the univariate analysis, the reason for the last visit to the dentist (p = 0.004), reported discomfort in teeth/mouth (p < 0.001) and both self-rated general (p = 0.011) and oral (p < 0.001) health were significantly associated with OHRQoL. The year of academic education was not associated with OHRQoL (p = 0.712). In the multivariate model, students who reported dissatisfaction with their teeth (PR = 1.32; IC 95%: 1.01-1.73), dental pain/sensitivity (PR = 2.36; IC 95%: 1.63-3.40), esthetic dental problems (PR = 1.45; IC 95%: 1.10-1.89), restorative needs (PR = 1.60; IC 95%: 1.01-2.55) and whose last visit to the dentist was for curative treatment (PR = 1.36; IC 95%: 1.05-1.76) had greater impact on OHRQoL. Aspects related to previous dental experience and self-reported oral health problems were associated with OHRQoL.