title: Self-perceived halitosis influences social interactions.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  To determine the impact of self-perceived halitosis on social interactions, and the effect of using an oral rinse for management of halitosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  A survey among a representative sample of the Dutch population (n = 1082), and a pre-post study among a sample of consecutive coming-by volunteers (n = 292).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Participants of the representative sample rated their oral odor as 66.8 ± 17.2 and the consecutive volunteers as 70.9 ± 16.7 (range: 0-100). Sizable proportions (15.3 % and 38.1 %, respectively) indicated to always take into account their (bad) oral odor when meeting a person for the first time. The worse people perceived their oral odor, the more likely they were to take into account to keep a certain distance. Following the use of the oral rinse, a significant decline was found of the extent to which the participants reported to take into account their oral odor when meeting a person for the first time. Both studies identified a subgroup of individuals (9.1 % and 28.1 % respectively) who reported to keep a certain distance when meeting other people, despite a "fresh" self-perceived oral odor.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results suggest that self-perceived oral odor negatively affects social interactions, and that adequate management of halitosis has the potential to improve such interactions.
authors.affiliation: Section Social Dentistry, Academic Centre for Dentistry Amsterdam, Gustav Mahlerlaan 3004, 1081 LA, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. a.de.jongh@acta.nl.
authors.forename: Ad
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: de Jongh
authors.affiliation: Section Social Dentistry, Academic Centre for Dentistry Amsterdam, Gustav Mahlerlaan 3004, 1081 LA, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. a.v.wijk@acta.nl.
authors.forename: Arjen J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: van Wijk
authors.affiliation: Marketing Research Office Kien, Westerkade 15-5, 9718, Groningen, The Netherlands. mirandahorstman@kienonderzoek.nl.
authors.forename: Miranda
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Horstman
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Function and Prosthetic Dentistry, Radboud University Medical Center, PO Box 9101, Nijmegen, 6500 HB, The Netherlands. c.deBaat@dent.umcn.nl.
authors.forename: Cees
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: de Baat
mesh_terms: D006209:Halitosis / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D009067:Mouthwashes / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009426:Netherlands; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D009067:Mouthwashes