Objective: To investigate the association between arealevel
socio-economic position (SEP) and oral health-related
quality of life (OHRQoL).
Methods: Data collected from a nationally representative
sample of the South African population ?16 years old
(n=3,003) included demographics, individual-level SEP
measures and self-reported oral health status. OHRQoL was
measured using the Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14).
The General Household Survey (n=25,653 households) and
Quarterly Labour Force Surveys (n~30,000 households/
quarter) were used to determine area-level SEP. Data analysis
included a random-effect negative binomial regression
model and Blinder-Oaxaca decomposition analysis.
Results: Area-level deprivation was associated with more
negative oral impacts, independent of an individual's SEP.
Other significant predictors of oral impacts included having
experienced oral pain and reporting previous
dental visits. Area differences in dental attendance
contributed the most (37.5%) to the observed gap
in OHRQoL, explained by differences in area-level SEP,
whereas individual-level SEP contributed the least (18.8%).
In the more affluent areas, satisfaction with life in general
and individuals' SEP were significantly positively associated
with OHRQoL.DHE
