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.

A Cross-Sectional Study of Perceived Dental Treatment Needs and Oral Health Status in Community-Dwelling Older Australian Men: The Concord Health and Ageing in Men Project.

BACKGROUND: Assessing perceived needs for dental treatment is important in understanding and predicting people's health behaviours. The purpose of this study is to examine older men's perceptions regarding dental treatment needs, and to investigate the disparity between perceived needs and the actual oral health of a population of community-dwelling older Australians. METHODS: Using cross-sectional data from the 4th wave of the Concord Health and Ageing in Men Project, logistic regression analysis of perceived needs for dental treatment was conducted for 596 men aged 78 and over, with functional tooth units (FTUs), number of decayed tooth surfaces, and periodontitis as independent variables. RESULTS: Thirty-six percent (n = 216) of the participants believed they required some form of dental treatment. The remaining participants did not perceive a need for treatment, yet 65.3% objectively required prosthodontic or restorative care. The regression model showed men with lower FTUs were significantly more likely to report a perceived need for dental treatment than those with 12 FTUs [0-6 FTUs: adjusted odds ratio (OR) 2.58, 95% CI 1.28-5.20; 7-11 FTUs: adjusted OR 2.43, 95% CI 1.16-5.10]. However, neither the number of decayed tooth surfaces nor the existence of periodontitis was associated with perceived dental treatment needs. CONCLUSIONS: Most older men viewed their oral health positively, and the majority of those with objectively assessed needs, did not perceive themselves as requiring dental treatment. Loss of FTUs appears to alert participants to seek treatment, but not the presence of dental caries or periodontitis.