Self‐reported halitosis in a sample of Brazilians: Prevalence, associated risk predictors and accuracy estimates with clinical diagnosis

Aims To evaluate the prevalence of self‐reported halitosis and its predictors, and to determine the accuracy estimates of self‐reported measures with clinical evaluation of halitosis. Materials and Methods This cross‐sectional study comprised 5,420 individuals (teaching staff, administrative personnel and ongoing students from Federal University of Minas Gerais), who answered a structured questionnaire containing sociodemographic, medical and dental data, and self‐reported halitosis measures. A subsample (n = 159) underwent halitosis assessment through the organoleptic method. Predictors for self‐reported halitosis were determined through univariate and multivariate analyses. Accuracy estimates of self‐reported measures were evaluated in this subsample. Results Prevalence of self‐reported halitosis varied from approximately 4%–35%, depending on the self‐reported measure. Self‐reported halitosis was mainly associated with socio‐economic variables (age, gender, educational level), parameters of oral health (gingival bleeding, gingival infections, tongue coating, general oral health evaluation) and impacts on daily activities (family/social environment and intimate relations). Specificity values for self‐reported halitosis measures were determined to be high for clinical (organoleptic score ≥2) and strong (organoleptic score ≥4) halitosis. Combinations of self‐reported measures retrieved useful accuracy estimates for strong halitosis. Conclusion Prevalence rates of self‐reported halitosis may be considered moderate. Accuracy diagnostic estimates were determined to be useful, with good prediction for non‐diseased individuals.