Impact of sense of coherence on oral health-related quality of life among Brazilian adults

Abstract It has been postulated that oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) may be affected by the sense of coherence (SOC), but there are no epidemiological studies investigating this association in Brazilian adults. The present study was conducted among adults of a mid-sized Brazilian city, with the aim of looking into this association. The probability sampling consisted of 342 adults aged 35-44 years old, from a mid-sized Brazilian city, who were examined at their homes for caries (Decayed, Missing and Filled Teeth [DMFT] Index) and periodontal disease (Community Periodontal Index - CPI), according to WHO criteria. The questionnaire applied included demographic factors, socioeconomic information, use of dental services, behavior, SOC and the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP). The OHIP outcome, measured by prevalence of the impact, was analyzed by binary logistic regression using a hierarchical approach, a conceptual model, and a 5% significance level. A total of 67.9% of the respondents had one or more impacts on OHRQoL, and 54.4% showed a high SOC. The impact on OHRQoL was more prevalent in adults who had a manual occupation (PR = 2.47, 95%CI 1.24-4.93), those who perceived the need for dental treatment (PR = 2.93, 95%CI 1.67-5.14), and those who had untreated caries (PR = 1.93, 95%CI 1.07-3.47). Those with a low SOC had a twofold higher prevalence of impact on OHRQoL (PR = 2.19, 95%CI 1.29-3.71). This impact on OHRQoL was associated with a low SOC, even after adjusted by socioeconomic, behavioral and clinical factors. Future studies should consider the SOC in determining the oral health impact on quality of life.

Periodontal disease and associated factors in the adult and elderly population from Jundiaí City, Brazil

Aim: This study assessed the prevalence of periodontal disease in the adult and elderly populations from Jundiaí City, and its association with individual social inequalities in a conceptual framework approach. Methods: The survey was conducted with a sample of 342 adults and 145 elderly, and periodontal disease was assessed based on the Community Periodontal Index (CPI) and Clinical Attachment Loss (CAL). A questionnaire addressing socio-demographic and behavioral variables, smoking and diabetes was included. Bivariate and multivariate analyses, using binary regression analyses, were carried out in a hierarchical approach with conceptual framework to reveal association among periodontal disease and social-demographic, smoking and diabetes variables. Results: One adult and fifty-six elderly who had lost all teeth were excluded from the sample. Mild periodontal disease (CAL ≤3 mm) was the condition more prevalent in the adult (74%) and elderly populations (60.6%). Adjusted analysis revealed that low educational level (OR 2.65, 95% CI 1.19-5.88), irregular use of tooth floss (OR 1.9, 95% CI 1.06-3.40), and smoking (OR 2.14, 95% CI 1.04-4.42) were independently associated with moderate/severe periodontal disease (CAL and Probing Depth ≥4 mm) in the adult group. For the elderly group, low educational levels (OR 0.16, 95% CI 0.04-0.58), use of public dental service (OR 5.32, 95% CI 1.23-23.03), and diabetes condition (OR 3.78, 95% CI 1.20-11.91) were significantly associated with periodontal disease. Conclusion: In conclusion, the data showed that education level, smoking habits, diabetes, use of dental floss and type of dental service are factors associated to moderate/severe periodontal disease among Brazilians from Jundiaí City