Dental check-ups in 31-year-olds in relation to optimism and life satisfaction.
OBJECTIVE
To analyse the impact of optimism and life satisfaction on dental check-ups.


METHODS
A cross-sectional study.


METHODS
The data used in this study consists of a postal questionnaire sent to the members of the 1966 Birth Cohort in Northern Finland. The number of replies totalled 8,690, giving a response rate of 75.3%.


METHODS
The subjects were classified into two categories according to frequency of dental check-ups: those who went for check-ups at least once in two years and those who went more rarely. A Life Orientation Test was used to measure optimism. Life satisfaction was measured using a single question. The other explanatory variables were gender, marital status, education, incomes and employment status. Multivariate analyses were performed using log-binomial regression models.


RESULTS
Independent of other factors, life satisfaction among women and optimism among men was associated with dental check-ups. Links between socioeconomic factors and dental check-ups were weaker than anticipated.


CONCLUSIONS
The results suggest that not only socioeconomic factors but also psychosocial aspects need to be taken into account in planning successful dental health policy.
Department of Periodontology and Geriatric Dentistry, Institute of Dentistry, University of Oulu, Finland. Pekka.Ylostalo@oulu.fi
Pekka
P
Ylöstalo
Tero
T
Sakki
Marjo-Riitta
MR
Järvelin
Matti
M
Knuuttila
D000328:Adult; D001290:Attitude; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003729:Dental Care / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D010551:Personality; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012737:Sex Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires