Socioeconomic, behavioral, and psychological factors related to oral health in Myanmar: A cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to evaluate the effects of socioeconomic, behavioral, and psychological factors on oral health status and oral health-related quality of life in Myanmar adults. METHODS: Data were from a convenience sample of Myanmar adults who are from a township health center in Yangon city. Face-to-face interviews using a paper-based questionnaire in the Myanmar language and clinical oral examinations were performed at the health center. Mann-Whitney U test and linear regressions were used to assess the association of socio-demographic, behavioral, and psychological variables with oral health outcomes. RESULTS: In socio-demographic variables, significant associations were observed in individual income with periodontal pocket and OHIP-14, and history of COVID-19 infection with OHIP-14. However, there were no associations between behavioral factors and oral health outcomes. After adjustment for sex, age, educational level, and individual income, the depression subscale was statistically significant with the number of present teeth, decayed teeth, decayed, missing, and filled teeth, and OHIP-14. The anxiety subscale remained significant with periodontal pocket, but no stress subscale was associated with oral health outcomes. CONCLUSION: The experiences of oral health status were high, and the oral health-related quality of life was unfavorable in Myanmar adults. A large proportion of them suffers from psychological distress. Additionally, individuals with lower income and who experienced a history of COVID-19 infection were susceptible to poor oral health-related quality of life. Psychological distress indicates a higher risk for oral health problems in Myanmar adults.

Effects of oral health education in Myanmar preschool children and guardians.

AIM: The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of oral health education on preschool children's oral health status and habits, and their guardian's oral health knowledge. METHODS: A 1-year interventional study was conducted for 201 preschool children from January 2016 to January 2017. A questionnaire survey and clinical oral examination were performed at baseline and at 1-year follow up. A 30-min oral health education session was given to children and their teachers and guardians separately by a dentist every 6 months. The impact of health education was evaluated by assessing the changes in guardians' questionnaires and children's oral health status during the 1-year period. RESULTS: The mean oral health knowledge scores of guardians significantly increased from 8.0 ± 2.0 at baseline to 9.0 ± 2.5 at 1-year follow up (P < .001). Most oral health habits, except drinking water after eating, significantly improved at 1-year follow up. Significant decreases in debris score (P = .008) and gingival score (P < .001) were found. CONCLUSION: Comprehensive oral health education was shown to improve guardians' knowledge of oral hygiene, and oral health habits and status of their children. It is necessary to adopt a comprehensive oral health-promotion program involving oral health-care professionals, parents, and teachers.