title: Orofacial esthetics and dental anxiety: associations with oral and psychological health.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Severe dental anxiety (DA) is associated with both oral health and psychosocial consequences in what has been described as a vicious circle of DA. The aim of this study was to investigate self-rated orofacial esthetics in patients with DA and its relationship to psychological and oral health.
  
  
  METHODS
  A consecutive sample of 152 adult patients who were referred or self-referred to a specialized dental anxiety clinic filled out the Orofacial Esthetic Scale (OES) as well as measurements on DA, self-rated oral health and general anxiety and depression. Clinical measures of dental status were also obtained.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Compared with the general population, patients with DA had lower ratings of satisfaction on all aspects of their orofacial esthetics, which included the teeth, gingiva, mouth and face, as well as a global orofacial assessment. Furthermore, the perception of the orofacial appearance was related both to dental status and self-rated oral health, as well as to general anxiety and depression. The level of dissatisfaction with the orofacial appearance was similar for both genders, but women reported more regular dental care and better dental status.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of this study clearly show less satisfaction with dental and facial appearance in patients with DA, and that the self-rating of orofacial esthetics is related to both oral and psychological health. The OES can be used to assess orofacial esthetics in patients with DA.
authors.affiliation: Department of Behavioral and Community Dentistry, Institute of Odontology, The Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg , Göteborg , Sweden.
authors.forename: Viktor
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Carlsson
authors.forename: Magnus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hakeberg
authors.forename: Klas
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Blomkvist
authors.forename: Ulla
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Wide Boman
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001007:Anxiety / Q000523:psychology; D004245:DMF Index; D016854:Dental Anxiety / Q000523:psychology*; D003729:Dental Care / Q000523:psychology; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology; D004954:Esthetics; D004955:Esthetics, Dental; D005145:Face / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D005260:Female; D005881:Gingiva / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D006801:Humans; D008603:Mental Health; D008875:Middle Aged; D009055:Mouth / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D009909:Oral Health; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D012649:Self Concept; D012737:Sex Factors; D014070:Tooth / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: dental anxiety; depression; esthetics; oral health; psychological health