Dental esthetics and oral health-related quality of life in young adults
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Date
2016
Authors
Isiekwe, G.I
Sofola, O.O
Onigbogi, OO
Utomi, I.L
Sanu, OO
daCosta, OO
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentifacial Orthopedics
Abstract
Introduction: Dental esthetics affects how people are perceived by society and how they perceive themselves,
and this may also affect their oral health–related quality of life (OHRQoL). The aim of this study was to compare
the impacts of self-perceived and normatively assessed dental esthetics on the OHRQoL of a young adult
population. Methods: This was a cross-sectional descriptive study involving 375 undergraduate university
students, aged 18 to 30 years old. Data collection was carried out through oral examinations and selfadministered
questionnaires. Dental esthetics of the students was assessed using the esthetic component of
the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need. Two OHRQoL instruments were used: the shortened version of the
Oral Health Impact Profile and the Psychosocial Impact of Dental Aesthetics Questionnaire. Results: Statistically
significant relationships (P \0.05) were recorded between both self-perceived and normatively
assessed dental esthetics of the students, respectively, and 3 of the 4 Psychosocial Impact of Dental
Aesthetics Questionnaire subscales: dental self-confidence (Kruskall-Wallis, P 5 0.000; P 5 0.000),
psychological impact (P 5 0.003, P 5 0.047), and esthetic concern (P 5 0.006, P 5 0.003). The only
exception was the social impact subscale, in which a significant relationship was recorded only with selfperceived
dental esthetics (P 5 0.040). For the shortened version of the Oral Health Impact Profile scale,
marked differences were also observed between the impacts recorded for both self-assessments and
normative assessments, respectively, particularly for the psychological disability domain (Fisher exact test,
P 5 0.021, P 5 0.000; P 5 0.064, P 5 0.096). Conclusions: Differences exist between the impacts of selfperceived
and normatively assessed dental esthetics on the OHRQoL of young adults, particularly in the
psychosocial domains. These differences should be considered in orthodontic treatment planning for young
adult populations.
Description
Keywords
Research Subject Categories::ODONTOLOGY::Orthodontics
Citation
Isiekwe GI, Sofola OO, Onigbogi OO, Utomi IL, Sanu OO, daCosta OO. (2016) Dental aesthetics and Oral Health-Related Quality of Life in Young Adults. Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop 150:627- 36