The Influence of Oral Health on Quality of Life in Young Adults: A Public Health Perspective

Abstract

1.Background/Objectives: Oral health plays an increasingly vital role in overall health and well-being. 2.Methods: This cross-sectional design evaluated the impact of oral health on quality of life in adolescents and young adults. The study was conducted using a validated psychometric tool — the Oral Impact on Daily Performance (OIDP) questionnaire — which captures the self-perceived effect of oral conditions on various daily functions.  Participants were recruited from a general adolescent and young adult population via online distribution channels. The target demographic included individuals aged approximately 14–25 years, either attending secondary school or university. The survey was administered using Google Forms platform, ensuring accessibility across various devices. Participants were informed about the purpose of the study and anonymity was guaranteed. Submission of the completed form was considered an expression of informed consent, in accordance with ethical research standards. Collected data were processed using Microsoft Excel. Descriptive statistics determined central tendency (mean, median), dispersion (standard deviation, range), and item-specific frequency distributions. 3.Results: The study included a total of 76 participants, aged between 14 and 25  years. All participants completed the Oral Impact on Daily Performance (OIDP)  questionnaire. Each respondent rated the frequency of 15 oral health-related impacts on a 0–4 scale. The mean OIDP  Score among the group was 11.37, with scores ranging from 1 to 30, indicating a moderate burden of oral health on daily life activities across the sample. The difference between the psychosocial and appearance domains was the only one reaching statistical significance, suggesting that aesthetic and emotional concerns may affect participants differently and deserve further study in a larger sample. 4.Conclusion: the findings from this study emphasize the importance of viewing oral health through a biopsychosocial lens, especially in adolescent and young adult populations.