Clinical, social and psychosocial factors associated with self-rated oral health in Brazilian adolescents.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study is to investigate the main social, psychosocial and clinical factors associated with poor self-rated oral health in adolescents.


METHODS
A cross-sectional survey was carried out in two cities of the Distrito Federal, Brazil. Data were collected by clinical examinations and by self-administered questionnaires from 1302 adolescents aged 14- 15 years in 39 schools. Data analysis was carried out using a Poisson regression model taking into account the cluster sample.


RESULTS
Adjusting for social, psychosocial and clinical factors, results showed that poor self-rated oral health was significantly associated (P < 0.001) with sex (males) [prevalence ratio (PR) = 0.8, 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 0.7-0.9]; low social class (PR =1.4, 95% CI: 1.2-1.6); poor self-rated general health (PR = 2.6, 95% CI: 2.3-3.1); mouth appearance (PR = 1.9, 95% CI: 1.6-2.2) and with presence of untreated dental decay (PR = 1.4, 95% CI: 1.3-1.6).


CONCLUSIONS
The single question on self-rated oral health appears to be a simple and easy way to collect dental health information in adolescents. Assessment and understanding of self-rated oral health should take into account social, psychosocial and oral factors.
Pattussi
Marcos P
MP
Programa de Pós-Graduação em Saúde Coletiva, Universidade do Vale do Rio dos Sinos, São Leopoldo, RS, Brazil. mppattussi@unisinos.br
Olinto
Maria Teresa Anselmo
MT
Hardy
Rebecca
R
Sheiham
Aubrey
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001938:Brazil; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003729:Dental Care; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000145:classification; D004955:Esthetics, Dental; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008409:Mastication / Q000502:physiology; D009909:Oral Health; D010510:Periodontal Diseases / Q000145:classification; D012649:Self Concept; D012737:Sex Factors; D012923:Social Class; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016388:Tooth Loss / Q000145:classification