Oral Health and Quality of Life: Perceptions of Adolescents Enrolled in a Health Promoting School

Abstract

Background-Oral health is an integral part of general health and constitutes an indicator of quality of life in adolescence. The present study aimed to know the profile and the perception of adolescents of a health promoting school about oral health-related quality of life. Methods- Quantitative studyof students of a health promoting school in Fortaleza using a questionnaire addressing sociodemographic data, general health and oral health status.TheOHIP-14 (Oral Health Impact Profile) questionnaire was also used. Results- Participants were 210 adolescents aged between 11 to 19 years, with a mean age of15.82, SD ± 1.269. The mean OHIP-14 score was statistically associated with: current general health (p=0.023); health in the previous year (p=0.003), hearing problem (p=0.004); use of medication (p=0.002) and difficulty in chewing and swallowing food (p=0.009). Conclusion- The adolescents believe their general health is very good or fair; however, self-perception assessed by the mean OHIP-14 score showed that oral health can influence quality of life. In this context, the Health Promoting School constitutes an important space for the development of political practices and pedagogical strategies through which health priorities and social actions can be truly incorporated into education.