Self-Reported Oral Health Status, Oral Health-Related Behaviours, Resilience and Hope in Romania

Purpose: The aim of the present study was to investigate whether resilience, hope, perceived oral health status and oral health-related behaviours were associated. Materials and Methods: The study sample consisted of 198 first-year medical students in Romania. The questionnaire included information about sociodemographic factors, behavioural variables, perceived oral health status, resilience and hope. Results: Women had more resilience and 'personal competence' than men (P 0.05). Resilience and hope were correlated with perceived dental health (P 0.01). Perceived dental health was related to current non-treated caries, satisfaction with the appearance of one's own teeth, toothache last time and resilience (P 0.001). Age, gender, current extracted teeth, perceived gingival bleeding and hope were not independent distinguishing variables after adjustment for internal heterogeneity. When oral health behaviours (toothbrushing, flossing, mouthrinse frequency and pattern of dental visit) were evaluated, it was demonstrated that flossing frequency was correlated with resilience and hope (P 0.01). Conclusions: The results suggested that resilience and hope might be a psychosocial risk marker that influences perceived oral health status and behaviours. Keywords: hope, oral health behaviour, perceived oral health status, resilience