Assessing the effects of oral health-related variables on quality of life in Taiwanese adults

Purpose The impact of oral health status on Taiwanese adults' quality of life has not been measured definitively. This study evaluated the effects of oral health-related variables on quality of life among adults in Taiwan. Methods A cross-sectional study design with secondary database analysis was adopted. Information about oral health-related variables in adults aged 18–64 years was collected from the National Health Interview Survey and quality-of-life data from the Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36®). Univariate and multivariate regression analysis was used to determine risk factors for oral health and associations between oral health and eight domains of quality of life defined by the SF-36. Results Gender (P < 0.001), marital status (P < 0.001), monthly income (P < 0.001), disease history (P < 0.001), betel nut chewing (P < 0.001), oral hygiene (P < 0.001), oral health status (P < 0.001), and dental care utilization (P = 0.001) had significant effects on general health as an aspect of quality of life; gender (P < 0.001), marital status (divorced, P < 0.001), income level (20,000–80,000 NTD, P < 0.001), disease history (P < 0.001), oral hygiene, oral health-related food choice limitations (P < 0.001), and dental care utilization (P < 0.001) had significant effects on general mental health. Subjects who practiced dental self-care with tooth brushing had significantly higher social functioning scores than those who did not (P < 0.001). Significant differences were also found in scale items for physical functioning, role limitations due to physical health, bodily pain, vitality, and role limitations due to emotional problems (all P < 0.001). Conclusions Demographic (i.e., age, gender, and marital status and income levels) and oral health-related factors (i.e., oral hygiene, dental visits, disease history, and life-style factors such as cigarette smoking, alcohol use, and betel nut chewing) are all significantly associated with oral health-related quality of life in Taiwanese adults.