title: Predictive value of dental readiness and psychological dimensions for oral health-related quality of life in Croatian soldiers: a cross-sectional study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the predictive value of dental readiness and psychological dimensions for oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) in Croatian soldiers.
  
  
  METHODS
  The sample consisted of 402 consecutive soldiers aged 21 to 54 years classified into the following groups according to dental readiness: Class 1 - not requiring dental treatment (N=54), Class 2 - unlikely to need emergency treatment within 12 months (N=205), and Class 3 - very likely to need treatment within 12 months (N=143). OHRQoL was assessed by the Oral Health Impact Profile and psychological dimensions by the Brief Symptom Inventory and Dental Anxiety Scale.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Multivariate analysis showed that Class 3 soldiers had higher frequency of psychological discomfort, psychological disability, and physical pain and handicap than Class 1 soldiers (P=0.019). Multiple linear regression showed that longer military experience, higher level of dental anxiety, and dental unreadiness were significant predictors of lower OHRQoL (P<0.050) but accounted for low variability. None of the single psychological symptomatic dimensions was a significant predictor of OHRQoL.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although this study found a moderate association between OHRQoL and clinical, military, demographic˝, and psychological variables, the significant predictors could be used as a basis for further research of clinical and psychosocial factors of OHRQoL.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dental Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Rijeka, Kresimirova 40, Rijeka, Croatia. stjepan.spalj@medri.uniri.hr
authors.forename: Stjepan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Spalj
authors.forename: Davorka
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Peric
authors.forename: Magda
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mlacovic Zrinski
authors.forename: Martina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bulj
authors.forename: Darije
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Plancak
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017523:Croatia; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004245:DMF Index; D016854:Dental Anxiety / Q000523:psychology*; D003729:Dental Care; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D061326:Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008889:Military Personnel; D009909:Oral Health; D011592:Psychology, Military; D011788:Quality of Life; D018434:Sickness Impact Profile; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult