Psychological and Social Effects of Oral Health and Dental Aesthetic in Adolescence and Early Adulthood: An Observational Study

Angela Militi, Federica Sicari, Marco Portelli, Emanuele Maria Merlo, Antonella Terranova, Fabio Frisone, Riccardo Nucera, Angela Alibrandi and Salvatore Settineri
Additional contact information
Angela Militi: Department of Biomedical, Dental Science and Morphological and Functional Images, University of Messina, 98100 Messina, Italy
Federica Sicari: Department of Cognitive Sciences, Psychology, Educational and Cultural Studies (COSPECS), University of Messina, 98100 Messina, Italy
Marco Portelli: Department of Biomedical, Dental Science and Morphological and Functional Images, University of Messina, 98100 Messina, Italy
Emanuele Maria Merlo: Department of Cognitive Sciences, Psychology, Educational and Cultural Studies (COSPECS), University of Messina, 98100 Messina, Italy
Antonella Terranova: Department of Biomedical, Dental Science and Morphological and Functional Images, University of Messina, 98100 Messina, Italy
Fabio Frisone: Department of Cognitive Sciences, Psychology, Educational and Cultural Studies (COSPECS), University of Messina, 98100 Messina, Italy
Riccardo Nucera: Department of Biomedical, Dental Science and Morphological and Functional Images, University of Messina, 98100 Messina, Italy
Angela Alibrandi: Unit of Statistical and Mathematical Sciences, Department of Economics, University of Messina, 98100 Messina, Italy
Salvatore Settineri: Department of Biomedical, Dental Science and Morphological and Functional Images, University of Messina, 98100 Messina, Italy

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 17, 1-8

Abstract: Background: Is well known that oral health and dental aesthetic have significant effects on the sociality of human beings. The aim of the present study was to assess some aspects of oral health with possible repercussions in adolescent and youth, with particular reference to gender differences. Methods: A total of 190 subjects with female prevalence (F = 62.6%, M = 37%) and ages between 14 and 29 years old (Mean = 23.8; SD = 3.27) participated. Evaluation was carried using standardized instruments to assess quality of oral life (PIDAQ), negative impact of oral conditions (OHIP-14), and self-esteem (Rosenberg Self Esteem Scale). Correlational and difference analyses and linear regressions were performed. Results: Significant gender differences were found in terms of gender, in reference to variables such as self-confidence and convictions. Positive correlations emerged between psychological impact and social impact, aesthetic concern and social impact, convictions and self-confidence, oral health with psycho-social impact, and aesthetic concern, self-esteem with oral health. Inverse correlations emerged between psycho-social impact and self-confidence, aesthetic concern and self-confidence, oral health, and self-confidence. Multivariate linear regression indicated relations between age and psychological impact, sex and self-confidence, crooked teeth and conviction. Conclusions: The impact of oral health on the psychological well-being of young people is relevant. These factors, if considered within clinical practice, can improve the quality of life of the subject.

Keywords: dental aesthetics; oral health; well-being; self-confidence (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/18/17/9022/pdf (application/pdf)
https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/18/17/9022/ (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:17:p:9022-:d:622965

Access Statistics for this article

IJERPH is currently edited by Ms. Jenna Liu

More articles in IJERPH from MDPI
Bibliographic data for series maintained by MDPI Indexing Manager ().