Perception of Brazilian Adolescents about the Influence of Oral Health on Biological and Social Functions

Objective: To assess the influence of oral health on biological and social functions as perceived by Brazilian adolescents aged 15 to 19 years. Method: This investigation was a cross-sectional study based on the data from the epidemiological database “SB Brasil 2003” (n=16,112). The database was re-categorized using as dependent variables perception of oral health and how it its classified; personal appearance; possible influence on mastication; influence on the speach; and how much oral health influences on the personal relationships. Bivariate and multivariate associations were performed among the sociodemographic and oral health condition variables with the endpoint relative to biological (speech and mastication) and social (personal appearance and interpersonal relationships) functions. Poisson’s regression model adjusted by complex type sampling was used, with the city chosen by lottery being the Primary Sampling Unit. Prevalence ratio was used with 95% confidence interval. Results: Mastication was considered very bad and bad among blacks and mulattos (PR=1.31) with malocclusion (PR =1.52), periodontal disease (PR =1.33), need of extraction (PR =1.59) and pain (PR =3.92). The worst or bad speech was associated with young people with missing teeth (PR = 1.42) malocclusion (PR =2.14), need of extraction (PR =1.32) and pain (PR =3.27). The worst personal appearance was reported by blacks and mulattos (RP=1.20) with missing teeth (PR =1.19), malocclusion (PR =1.52), periodontal disease (PR =1.56), dental caries (PR =1.49), need of extraction (RP=1.54) and pain (RP=2.12). Oral health influenced the personal relationships of blacks and mulattos (RP=1.20) with missing teeth (RP=1.37), malocclusion (RP=1.27), need of extraction (RP=1.24) and pain (RP=1.80). Conclusion: Unfavorable oral health conditions and sociodemographic characteristics had negative impacts on the oral health perceptions and influenced the Brazilian adolescents’ quality of life.