Clinical, social and psychosocial factors associated with self-rated oral health in Brazilian adolescents

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to investigate the main social, psychosocial and clinical factors associated with poor self-rated oral health in adolescents. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was carried out in two cities of the Distrito Federal, Brazil. Data were collected by clinical examinations and by self-administered questionnaires from 1302 adolescents aged 14- 15 years in 39 schools. Data analysis was carried out using a Poisson regression model taking into account the cluster sample. RESULTS: Adjusting for social, psychosocial and clinical factors, results showed that poor self-rated oral health was significantly associated (P < 0.001) with sex (males) [prevalence ratio (PR) = 0.8, 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 0.7-0.9]; low social class (PR =1.4, 95% CI: 1.2-1.6); poor self-rated general health (PR = 2.6, 95% CI: 2.3-3.1); mouth appearance (PR = 1.9, 95% CI: 1.6-2.2) and with presence of untreated dental decay (PR = 1.4, 95% CI: 1.3-1.6). CONCLUSIONS: The single question on self-rated oral health appears to be a simple and easy way to collect dental health information in adolescents. Assessment and understanding of self-rated oral health should take into account social, psychosocial and oral factors.