Lifestyle and dental attendance as predictors of oral health-related quality of life

Objectives: To evaluate the impact of health-related behaviors and dental attendance on oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL). Methods: One hundred and ninety-two individuals presenting for dental treatment were included in a cross-sectional survey using a self-administered questionnaire that assessed demographics, smoking and alcohol consumption, physical activity habits, dental attendance, and dental pain utilizing a numeric rating scale (NRS). Results of the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP)-14 questionnaire were considered as the dependent variable. A conceptual hierarchical data analysis model from distal to proximal determinants of the median OHIP-14 total score was adopted. Results: Analysis of the OHIP-14 domains and total score revealed several significant protector characteristics: younger age, academic education, no alcohol consumption, regular physical activity, fewer smoking pack years, routine dental attendance, and lower NRS scores. Routine dental attendance was related to lower NRS scores (P < 0.001) which in turn were associated with lower OHIP-14 scores (P = 0.018). Better health-related behaviors (P = 0.039) and routine dental attendance (P = 0.029) also correlated directly with lower OHIP-14 scores. Conclusions: Better health-related behaviors and routine dental attendance have a protective effect on OHRQoL. Clinicians should assess these behaviors during routine diagnostic workups. Global health authorities need to integrate oral and general health care and improve both OHrQoL and HrQoL.