RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate whether sense of coherence (SOC) mediates the association between temporomandibular disorders (TMD) and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) and general quality of life (QoL) in Brazilian elders. METHODS: Informations on sociodemographic, psychological, and presence or absence of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) were collected by trained dentists among non-institutionalized elders (n = 110). OHRQoL was measured with the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14) and QoL using the WHOQOL-BREF. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to estimate the standardized direct effect of TMD on OHRQoL and on QoL, and the indirect effect mediated by SOC. RESULTS: Temporomandibular disorders had no direct effect on OHRQoL (coef. -0.10), whereas indirect effect mediated by SOC was noted (coef. 0.35). Regarding QoL, the indirect effect of TMD, mediated by SOC, on QoL (coef. 0.58) was higher than the direct effect (coef. 0.34). CONCLUSION: Sense of coherence mediated the effect of TMD on oral and general quality of life among elders.