Why do poor adults rate their oral health poorly?

The reasons why socioeconomic circumstances are associated with oral health are not well understood. This study investigated whether psychosocial factors might play an explanatory role.

Cross-sectional survey data were used from the 1999 National Dental Telephone Interview Survey together with information from an accompanying questionnaire sent to adult interviewees. Household income and self-rated oral health were assessed with single items and life dissatisfaction, personal constraint and perceived stress were evaluated with standard psychometric scales. Bivariate associations were tested using chi-square and ANOVA and odds ratios estimated for low self-rated oral health using logistic regression.

Response to the questionnaire was 64.6 per cent and analysis was limited to dentate adults (n = 3678). Low household income was positively associated with low self-rated oral health. Higher dissatisfaction with life, personal constraint and perceived stress scores were associated with low income and with low self-rated oral health. After adjusting for gender, age, income and missing teeth, adults with high personal constraint scores had greater odds of low self-rated oral health (OR 1.26; 1.10-1.43) as had adults with higher perceived stress scores (OR 1.69; 1.34-2.13).

Psychosocial factors are important in understanding pathways between socioeconomic position and oral health status.