Oral health related quality of life - views of the public in the United Kingdom

Objective This study was designed to determine the United Kingdom public's perception of how oral health affects quality of life (QoL) and to determin e socio-demographic variations in these perceptions. Research design The ve hicle for this study was the ONS Omnibus Survey in the UK. A random probabi lity sample of 2,668 eligible addresses was selected from the British Postc ode Address File. Setting The data were collected by qualitative, face-to-f ace interviews with respondents, nation-wide, in their homes, about how the ir oral health status affected their QoL. Participants 1,778 adults aged 16 years or older across the UK tool; part in the study. Results 75% (1,340) believed their oral health either enhanced or reduced their QoL. Most frequ ently, this was perceived as bring the result of its effect on eating, comf ort and appearance. Other ways in which QoL was affected are also presented . Sociodemographic variations were apparent. For example, people from highe r socio-economic backgrounds believed that their oral health enhanced their QoL to a greater degree (OR=1.46, CI=1.20, 1.78) than the lower socio-econ omic groups. Women claimed that their oral health had a greater negative ef fect on QoL than did men (OR=1.36, CI=1.11, 1.64). Younger people (16-64 ye ars old) reported that their oral health status reduced and enhanced QoL mo re than older adults (65 years and over) (OR=1.59. CI=1.23, 2.04). Conclusi ons The study shows that the UK public perceives oral health as affecting t heir QoL in a variety of physical, social and psychological ways and that s ignificant socio-demographic variations exist in these perceptions.