A gender perspective of self-perceived oral health in adolescents: associations with attitudes and behaviours

Objective To investigate the associations between dental attitudes and beha viours, and self-perceived oral health from a gender perspective in an adol escent population. Design A census survey. Self-reported questionnaires wer e answered anonymously in a standardised manner in classrooms. Attitudes st udied included the importance of sound teeth and feelings towards visits to the dentist. Behaviours were represented by floss usage and sweets consump tion. Setting All senior and upper secondary level schools in Skaraborg Cou nty, Sweden. Subjects 17,280 students, aged 13-18 years, Outcome measures S elf-perceived oral health. represented by a single-item rating: satisfactio n with the appearance of the teeth: self-assessed gum bleeding and a percei ved oral health (POH) index. Results Recognising sound teeth as important w as a predominating attitude among the respondents (boys 94%, girls 97%) and was significantly associated with a good perceived oral health overall. In dividuals who experienced visits to dentist as unpleasant (boys 36%, girls 43%) were less likely to perceive good oral health as single-item rated (OR for boys 0.55[0.49, 0.63], girls 0.40[0.34, 0.47]). Regular use of floss h ad a small protective effect on bleeding gums. Daily sweets consumption sho wed a significant and inverse association with self-perceived oral health a s single-item rated (OR for boys 0.53[0.44, 0.66], girls 0.49[0.40, 0.60]). Girls, more often than boys, perceived their oral health to be good, excep t in the perception of the appearance of their teeth. Conclusions It is con cluded that the strong associations between attitudes and self-perceived or al health should be recognised in strategies for oral health promotion and that gender differences must be considered.