Investigating the relationship between self-reported oral health status, oral health-related behaviours and self-consciousness in Romania

PURPOSE: The aim of the present study was to investigate whether self-consciousness, self-reported oral health status and oral-health-related behaviours were associated. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The present study sample consisted of 253 first year medical students in Romania. The questionnaire included information about socio-demographic factors, behavioural variables, self-reported oral health status and three self-consciousness subscales (Private Self-Consciousness, Public Self-Consciousness, and Social Anxiety). RESULTS: Significant differences were found in Public Self-Consciousness and Social Anxiety according to several variables: anxiety, stress, depression and current non-treated caries. There were significant differences in Social Anxiety for the variables of gender, smoking, perceived dental health, self-reported gum bleeding and reason for dental visit (p < 0.05). A significant difference was found in Public Self-Consciousness for the reason for dental visits (p < 0.05). Total Self-Consciousness is correlated with anxiety, stress, depression, current non-treated caries, gingival bleeding and reason for dental visit. Oral health behaviours such as tooth brushing, flossing, mouth washing and last dental visit were not influenced by each of the self-consciousness subscales. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that self-consciousness might be a psychosocial risk marker that influences self-reported oral health status.