Dental trauma experience and oral‐health‐related quality of life among university students

Background:

This study aimed to investigate the impact of self‐reported dental trauma on oral‐heath‐related quality of life (OHRQoL) of young adults and determine whether personality characteristics influenced how it was reported.

Method:

A cross‐sectional study was carried out using a sample of 435 university students. A questionnaire sought data on previous dental trauma. OHRQoL was assessed using the short‐form of the oral health impact profile (OHIP‐14); the outcome being one or more impacts occurring ‘fairly often’/‘very often’. Personality was assessed using the Positive and Negative Affect Scale (PANAS).

Results:

The participation rate was 87.2%. Dental trauma experience was reported by 110 participants (25.3%), and 242 (55.6 %) indicated previous dental caries experience. Among those with dental trauma history, one or more OHIP‐14 impacts was reported by 29.1% (with 21.2% among those with no history). Impact prevalence was higher among those who had previous dental caries experience (29.8%) than among those who had not (14.7%; P < 0.001). Higher PANAS negative affect scores were observed among those reporting one or more OHIP‐14 impacts (P < 0.001).

Conclusion:

While dental trauma does not appear to have a negative impact on OHRQoL in young adults, past dental caries experience does. Negative emotionality influences self‐reported oral health.