Type C Coping, Self-reported Oral Health Status and Oral Health-related Behaviors

AbstractThis paper examines the impact of type C personality on students’ self-rated oral health and oral health-related behaviors in a study sample consisted of 212 first year dental students. All components of type C of personality were correlated with perceived dental health, satisfaction with appearance of own teeth, toothache last time, current non-treated caries, current extracted teeth, self-reported gum bleeding, mouth rinse, flossing and dental visit frequency. The results support the view that there is an significant link between impaired dental and periodontal health and maladaptive Type C coping style

The Relationship between Narcissism, Oral Health Status and Oral Health-related Behaviors

AbstractThe aim of our study was to investigate whether narcissism is associated with self-reported oral health status and oral-health- related behaviors in a sample of 120 first year medical students. The questionnaire included information about socio- demographic factors, behavioral variables, self-reported oral health status and narcissism. There were significant differences on narcissism levels according to several variables: gender, anxiety, stress and depression, self-rated oral health status, self- reported gingival condition and number of current extracted teeth. The results also showed that subjects with high levels of narcissism tend to visit their dentist mainly for check-up or for tooth cleaning and scaling

Impact of Emotional Neglect and Self-silencing on Body Mass Index and Oral Health Behaviors: A Structural Equation Model Analysis in Undergraduate Students

AbstractCurrent available data indicate that parent-child relationships may prevent or promote the development of psychiatric symptoms, mainly anxiety and depressive symptoms. The aim of our study was to explore the effect of emotional neglect and self-silencing on body mass index and on oral health behaviors in a sample of first year undergraduate medical students. Smoking behavior was correlated with self-silencing among males, while individual emotional neglect questions were correlated with body investment scales and oral health behaviors. The structural equation model demonstrated a good fit among female students but not among males. Further studies should further investigate the properties of this model in different populations

Gender Variations in the Psychological Factors as Defined by the Theory of Planned of Oral Hygiene Behaviors

AbstractOral self-care practice is an effective preventive measure for maintaining good individual oral health which is an integral part of one's general health. The aim of this analysis was to investigate gender differences in the psychological factors defined by the Theory of Planned Behavior applied to oral hygiene behavior (OHB). For males only attitudes were important determinants of intention to improve OHB, whereas among females were relevant also social related aspects as social norms, perceived difficulty and perceived control. Insight in gender variations in the psychological determinants of OHB is relevant to refine preventive approaches to modify OHB for male and women in the desired direction

The Inter-relationships between Body Dissatisfaction, Body Image Disturbance and Oral Health

AbstractBody image concerns include overvaluation of appearance, body dissatisfaction, and/or a distorted view of our body and have long been associated with weight and eating related problems.The aim of our study was to explore the effect of dental health on body-image of adolescents, on their overall level of body dissatisfaction and body disturbance. Significant differences were found between body dissatisfaction and body image disturbance related to oral health status (presence of current extracted teeth, insatisfaction by appearance of own teeth, gingival status) and oral health behaviors (flossing, mouthwashes frequency and reason for dental visit). Further studies should investigate the properties of this model in different populations

Gender Variations in the Psychological Factors as Defined by the Extended Health Belief Model of Oral Hygiene Behaviors

AbstractOral self-care practice is an effective preventive measure for maintaining good individual oral health which is an integral part of one's general health. The aim of this analysis was to investigate gender variations in the psychological factors as defined by the extended health belief model (HBM) and oral hygiene behaviors (OHB). Females reported higher values on perceived severity and self-efficacy and lower values on perceived barriers. Exploratory regression analyses revealed that for males perceived barriers and self-efficacy were relatively important determinant of OHB, whereas among females only self-efficacy was relevant. Gender variations in OHB and in the psychological determinants should be considered when designing practical recommendations for improving OHB