Self-reported oral health status, oral health-related behaviours, resilience and hope in Romania.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the present study was to investigate whether resilience, hope, perceived oral health status and oral health-related behaviours were associated.


METHODS
The study sample consisted of 198 first-year medical students in Romania. The questionnaire included information about sociodemographic factors, behavioural variables, perceived oral health status, resilience and hope.


RESULTS
Women had more resilience and 'personal competence' than men (P < 0.05). Resilience and hope were correlated with perceived dental health (P < 0.01). Perceived dental health was related to current non-treated caries, satisfaction with the appearance of one's own teeth, toothache last time and resilience (P < 0.001). Age, gender, current extracted teeth, perceived gingival bleeding and hope were not independent distinguishing variables after adjustment for internal heterogeneity. When oral health behaviours (toothbrushing, flossing, mouthrinse frequency and pattern of dental visit) were evaluated, it was demonstrated that flossing frequency was correlated with resilience and hope (P < 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
The results suggested that resilience and hope might be a psychosocial risk marker that influences perceived oral health status and behaviours.
Institute of Clinical Dentistry, Faculty of Medicine, Tromsø University, 9037, Breivika, Norway. alexandrina.dumitrescu@uit.no
Alexandrina L
AL
Dumitrescu
Makoto
M
Kawamura
Beatrice Carmen
BC
Dogaru
Cristian Dinu
CD
Dogaru
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D001294:Attitude to Health; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009909:Oral Health; D009910:Oral Hygiene / Q000523:psychology*; D012016:Reference Values; D055500:Resilience, Psychological; D012383:Romania; D012648:Self Care / Q000523:psychology*; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012647:Self-Assessment; D013337:Students, Medical / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult