Oral health-related quality of life among young adults in Poland

Background
Oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) is a multidimensional concept that describes quality of life in relation to oral health, with important implications for research, clinical practice and public health interventions.

Objectives
The aim of the study was to assess the level of OHRQoL in young adults and its determinants.

Material and methods
Data was collected in a group of 527 young adults through an online questionnaire. The questionnaire included questions about socio-demographic factors, health status and health behaviours, including oral health, and the Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14). Multiple logistic regression was used to examine the relationship between young adults’ characteristics and good OHRQoL.

Results
The global mean value of OHIP-14 was 5.70 (SD = 7.15). 428 respondents (81.2%) showed good OHRQoL. Enablers of good OHRQoL were: place of residence < 20,000 inhabitants (OR = 4.985 [1.033–24.062], p = 0.045), no oral health problem (OR = 2.523 [1.011–6.295], p = 0.047), brushing teeth twice a day or more (OR = 1.823 [1.046–3.178], p = 0.034). Barriers included: own health issues lasting for 6 months or more (OR = 0.515 [0.307–0.863], p = 0.012), pressure to have a ‘perfect smile’ (OR = 0.322 [0.191–0.543], p < 0.001), never flossing (OR = 0.470 [0.276–0.801], p = 0.005), missing teeth (OR = 0.284 [0.129–0.627], p = 0.002), coexistence of oral health problems (OR = 0.288 [0.164–0.506], p < 0.001), dental check-ups less than once a year (OR = 0.534 [0.315–0.906], p = 0.020).

Conclusions
Development and implementation of activities aimed at the improvement of oral health and reducing health inequities among young adults require proper identification of enablers and barriers to good OHRQoL with regard to socio-demographic status, health status, including oral health and oral health behaviours.