Research

Influence of stress on the oral health and quality of life of university students

Jae-Eun Kim   Seong-Tae Lee   Ye-Eun Kim   Su-Hyeon Bae   Hye-Jin Shin   Jeong-Eun Jo   Seol-Hee Kim*   

Department of Dental Hygiene, College of Medical Science, Konyang University

Abstract

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to analyze Influence of stress on oral health and quality of life. Methods: The participants were 172 students from 4 universities located in DaeJeon, South Korea. A questionnaire was administered, assessing the impacts of the general characteristics of the participants , temporomandibular joint (TMJ) symptoms, xerostomia, and halitosis on stress. And oral impacts on daily performance were also investigated. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences 18.0. Results: The level of stress was higher in female, and the causes of stress was reported scholastic achievement, relations with professors, get a job. The students who were higher stress were more conscious of TMJ symptoms, xerostomia and halitosis(p<0.05). Stress was significantly positively correlated with TMJ symptoms (r=0.376, p<0.001), dry mouth (r=0.360, p<0.001), and bad breath (r=0.343, p<0.001). Oral Impacts on Daily Performance (OIDP) scores were significantly positively correlated with dry mouth, bad breath, TMJ symptoms, and stress. Regression analysis showed that 54.5% of the independent variables were related to OIDP scores. Stress and TMJ symptoms exerted a significant effect on OIDP scores. Conclusions: Stress among university students affects oral health and quality of life. Stress coping mechanisms and oral health care education programs should be developed and applied at universities.

Figures & Tables

Table 1. Stress coping by general characteristics Unit : Mean±SD