Self-perceived oral health and its determinants among adult dental patients in a University Dental ‎Clinic in Tehran, Iran‎

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Self-perceived oral health is a simple, non-invasive, and inexpensive method of data collection, which considers the psychosocial aspects of oral health and is related to the likelihood of seeking oral health care. Our study aimed to assess the association between self-perceived and clinically determined findings of oral health in a context of socio-economic status (SES) and perceived general health among adult dental patients in a university dental clinic. METHODS: Through a cross-sectional study, we collected the data from 499, 20-50 years olds attending dental clinic of Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Iran, using valid questionnaire-led interviews about patients’ demographic characteristics; their perceived general health, and oral health. In addition, clinical oral examination was performed to assess decayed missing filled teeth (DMFT) index and prosthesis status of the participants. Spearman correlation, ANOVA and a linear regression model served for statistical analysis. RESULTS: The mean age of the participants was 34.8 years [SD (Standard deviation) = 9.91] and more than half of them were women (51.9%). While as high as 73.0% of the patients perceived their general health as excellent or good, only 31.0% reported the same with their oral health. Self-perceived oral health was positively associated with self-perceived general health. The younger participants, patients with a higher number of missing and decayed teeth, and those participants wearing more complicated prosthesis in the upper jaw reported worse oral health status (P < 0.050). CONCLUSION: Oral conditions have significant effects on function and well-being. The present association between clinically determined and self-perceived oral health admitted that it might be beneficial to monitor oral health using such inexpensive and non-invasive method

Prevalence of Cardiovascular Disorders in Iranian Patients Suffering from Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Objectives: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) can lead to various cardiovascular disorders (CVD) such as hypertension. There is no documented data about this relationship among the Iranian population. The aim of this study was to obtain comprehensive information about the severity of OSA as a cause of CVD and its relationship with other important risk factors. Materials and Methods: In this cross sectional study, we studied patients with OSA and apnea/hypopnea index of 5 or more. The data were collected from the patients’ polysomnography report and medical files. Data analysis was done with SPSS version 18. Results: The majority of patients were males (71.9%). Among the studied individuals, 26.5% showed at least one sign of CVD, and hypertension was the most common condition (74.5%). Multiple regression analysis showed that the odds ratios for one unit increase in BMI and one year increase in age were 1.13 and 1.12, respectively (P<0.001).  Conclusions: In our study, BMI and age had the strongest relationship with CVD. Thus, public health care providers should implement weight control strategies and improve diagnostic and treatment procedures for the elderly patients