Oral Prostheses and Oral Health-Related Quality of Life: A Survey Study of an Adult Swedish Population

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to investigate whether oral health-related quality of life (OHRQOL) in an adult Swedish population could be explained by social attributes; individual attributes; dental status, with a special focus on the role of prosthodontics; and dental care attitudes. Materials and Methods: The study was based on responses to a questionnaire sent in 1998 to a random sample of 1,974 persons aged 50 to 75 years (66% response rate). Three factors representing various aspects of OHRQOL were set as dependent variables in multiple-regression models: oral health impact on everyday activities, oral health impact on the psychologic dimension, and oral health impact on oral function. Independent variables in the models were social attributes, individual attributes, number of teeth, denture (ie, type of denture, if present), and dental care attitudes. Results: General health in relation to age peers had the strongest association with all 3 dependent variables, followed by number of teeth and need care-cost barrier. When number of teeth was excluded, removable denture was found to covary with the dependent variables in each of the 3 regression models. Conclusion: The number of remaining teeth is more important than the type of denture in explaining OHRQOL. It is less important that a denture is fixed for those with few remaining teeth, in contrast to all others. Explanations are also found in general health and various aspects of dental care costs.