Year : 2018

Volume : Volume 9

Issue : Issue 3s

Address for correspondence :
Dr. S. Jeyamarthan.
jeyamarthan.s@gmail.com

Abstract

Background:  Dental aesthetics affects how people are perceived by society and how they perceive themselves, and this may also affect their oral health–related quality of life (OHRQoL). The aim of this study was to compare the impacts of self-perceived and normatively assessed dental aesthetics on the OHRQoL of a young adult population in a private dental college.  Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study involving 200 undergraduate dental students, aged 15 to 25 years old. Data collection was carried out through oral examinations and self-administered questionnaires. Dental aesthetics of the students was assessed using the aesthetic component of the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need.  Results: Statistically significant relationships (P < 0.05) were recorded between both self-perceived and normatively assessed dental aesthetics of the students, respectively Gender (p= 0.882) , age (p=0.287. For the shortened version of the Oral Health Impact Profile scale, marked differences were also observed between the impacts recorded for both self-assessments and normative assessments, respectively.  Conclusions: Differences exist between the impacts of self-perceived and normatively assessed dental aesthetics on the OHRQoL of young adults, particularly in gender. This difference should be considered in orthodontic treatment planning for young adult populations.

Keywords: Self-Perceived, Dental Aesthetics, Oral Health.