Relationships Among Adolescent Health Promotion, Oral Health Perceptions and Behavior, and OHRQoL

Purpose: The objective of this study was to test associations among adolescent health-promoting behaviors (AHPB); oral health knowledge, perceptions, and behaviors; and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) in a university-based dental setting. The null hypothesis was that there was no linear correlation between OHRQoL and other adolescent health behavior domains (r=0). Methods: Adolescent patients (age 11 to 17 years) were recruited at their initial or recall exam. They completed a survey that included the 21-question Adolescent Health Promotion-Short Form (AHP-SF), the 19-question Child Oral Health Impact Profile-Short Form (COHIP-SF), and questions regarding oral health behaviors, knowledge, and promotion preferences. Statistical associations among constructs were tested by using Pearson correlation coefficients. Results: 102 adolescents responded to the survey. The majority identified as male (48%), reported no health issues (91%), identified as Hispanic/Latino (64%) and were in early adolescence (68%). The most reported source of health information was health professionals (46%), followed by school (25%). The most commonly reported oral health promotion (OHP) technique was verbal lecture on hygiene and diet (33%). This was despite the largest proportion preferring to receive OHP via visual demonstration (35%) and reporting they believed this technique would “best help change their oral health for the better” (33%). Respondent OHRQoL (total COHIP score) was significantly correlated with oral health behavior (r=0.226, p=.022) and four adolescent health behaviors domains: social support (r=0.290, p=.004), life appreciation (r=0.327, p=.001), exercise (r=0.251, p=.012), and stress management (r=0.210, p=.037). Oral Health Knowledge was not significantly correlated with OHRQoL, oral health behavior, or adolescent health behavior domains. Conclusions: The results of this study indicate that the null hypothesis is rejected at α=.05. There are weak, but positive and significant correlations between OHRQoL, adolescent health behavior domains, and oral health behavior (r≠0). Findings suggest that adolescent OHP efforts should incorporate not only visual demonstration for oral hygiene, but also consider incorporating promotion of other health behavior domains (e.g. life appreciation) to positively impact OHRQoL.