Understanding the value of oral health to people in Britain - Importance to life quality

Abstract

Objectives: The study was designed to determine whether the British public perceived oral health as being important to quality of life (QoL) and if so, to identify in which most important ways. In addition, to identify socio-demographic variations in these perceptions. Method: In a national survey conducted with the assistance of the Office for National Statistics, attempts were made to conduct face to face interviews with a random probability sample of 2,668 United Kingdom residents. Results: The response rate was 67% with 1,778 adults (aged 16 or older) participating in the study. Most (75%, 1,332/1778) perceived their oral health as being important to their QoL. and did so through a wide variety of physical, social and psychological ways. Overall oral health's impact on physical aspects were more frequently cited as important to life quality than social or psychological. Marked age and gender variations were apparent in the prioritisation of what domains were most important to quality of life. Conclusion: The British public perceive oral health as being important to life quality in a variety of different ways and various sub groups of the population rate what is important differently. This has implications for assessing patients needs and assessing oral health related quality of life.