Modelling risk factors for high/low Psychosocial Impact of Dental Aesthetics Questionnaire (PIDAQ) in the Australian...

Psychosocial Impact of Dental Aesthetics Questionnaire (PIDAQ) is an instrument to assess the subjective perception needed for orthodontic treatment (OT). The study aimed to (1) evaluate the psychosocial impact of dental aesthetics and the potential role of OT and (2) determine associations between PIDAQ with self-rated general and oral health, oral health-related quality of life (OHRQOL), and receipt of OT among Australian adults.

Data were obtained from the 2013 Australian National Dental Telephone Interview Survey (NDTIS). The PIDAQ was utilized as main outcome, comprising items from four conceptual domains: self-confidence, social impact, psychological impact, and aesthetic concern. Participants reported their socio-demographic, behavioural, self-rated general and oral health as well as the poor OHRQOL using the Oral Impact on Daily Performance (OIDP) instrument and OT. The mean of PIDAQ and four subscales score and their 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated. Generalized liner regression was used to estimate association between PIDAQ and covariates by calculating the mean ratio (MR) and their 95% CI.

There were 2936 Australian adults who completed the PIDAQ items. The mean PIDAQ score was 28.8 (95% CI: 28.0-29.6). Higher PIDAQ scores were identified among those who reported non-Australian birth, lower incomes, infrequent dental visits, less than 21 teeth and brushing teeth less than twice a day, fair/poor self-rated general and oral health, and poor OHRQOL. In multivariable modelling, the mean PIDAQ score was 1.91 (95% CI: 1.82-2.00) times higher among those with OIDP score >3 and 1.06 (95% CI:1.01-1.10) times higher in those who had OT, comparing with their counterparts. Also, higher PIDAQ scores were identified among females, last visiting a dentist more than 2 years ago, fair or poor self-rated oral and general health.

Higher PIDAQ scores that have a greater impact on OHRQOL were associated with poorer self-rated general and oral health. This may be explained by unfavourable dental attendance and oral health habits. The positive correlation with OIDP scores verifies the validity of the PIDAQ. Those who had received OT had lower PIDAQ and OIDP scores.