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Socio-behavioral predictors of self-reported oral health-related quality of life

Abstract

Purpose  

To examine the relationship between social and financial support, behavioral and sociodemographic variables, and oral health-related
quality of life (OHRQoL) in a national probability sample.

Methods  

The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2003–2004 data system was used; there were 12,761 persons selected
for the sample, 10,122 of those were interviewed (79.3 %). Oral health-related quality of life, the outcome measure, was evaluated
using seven items derived from the 14-item NHANES Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP) included in the home interview. The aggregated
OHRQoL scores ranged from 7 to 28. We included only adults, aged 20 and older, who self-reported their alcohol use during
home interview (n = 5,014). Independent variables were social and financial support, and behavioral variables (smoking and alcohol use), with
sociodemographic variables as covariates. Multiple linear regression analysis used weighted data representing 124 million
persons.

Results  

Lack of financial support reduced OHRQoL, but not social support. Smoking reduced OHRQoL, but not alcohol use. Compared to
ages 20–24, persons aged 24–44 and aged 45–64 had significantly lower OHRQoL scores, but persons aged 65+ did not. Latinos’
OHRQoL scores were lower than those of whites; there were no differences between whites and other ethnic groups.

Conclusion  

The model provides insights into the perception of OHRQoL in that oral health related to the ability to pay for care. Those
in the middle years (24–64) rate their OHRQoL lower than do their younger cohorts; there is no difference in OHRQoL between
the young and the old.

  • Content Type Journal Article
  • Pages 1-8
  • DOI 10.1007/s11136-012-0173-z
  • Authors
    • Carl A. Maida, School of Dentistry, University of California, Los Angeles, Box 951668, 10833 Le Conte Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1668, USA
    • Marvin Marcus, School of Dentistry, University of California, Los Angeles, Box 951668, 10833 Le Conte Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1668, USA
    • Vladimir W. Spolsky, School of Dentistry, University of California, Los Angeles, Box 951668, 10833 Le Conte Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1668, USA
    • Yan Wang, School of Dentistry, University of California, Los Angeles, Box 951668, 10833 Le Conte Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1668, USA
    • Honghu Liu, School of Dentistry, University of California, Los Angeles, Box 951668, 10833 Le Conte Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1668, USA