| ObjectivesThe objective of this study was to analyze the association between personality traits, social support, well-being, life events and dental caries in graduate student of China. Combining the caries susceptibility, DMFT(Decayed, Missing, Filled, Teeth), DMFS(Decayed, Missing, Filled, Surface), oral hygiene habits and stress questionnaires, this research analysis the risk factors and protective factors of caries in graduate student of China. MethodsA cross-sectional survey was conducted. A total of 354 graduate students(aged 21-29 years) from Tianjin medical university, Tianjin university, Tianjin armed police college voluntarily answered caries susceptibility test, caries examination and questionnaires. Questionnaire included four aspects: According to the psychological stress model of Qianjin Jiang, stress questionnaires were selected as follows: Symptom Checklist 90(SCL-90), Perceived Social Support Scale(PSSS), General Well-Being Schedule(GWB) and Adolescent Self-Rating Life Events Check List(ASLEC).Cariostat caries activity test was adopted to test caries susceptibility. This method was used for screening the high-risk population of caries. For statistical analysis, 354 graduate students were divided into four groups(security, notice, dangerous and high-risk domains) based on the graded standard of the value of cariostat.Caries severity was measured using the International Caries Detection and Assessment System(ICDAS-II). The numbers of DMF-T/DMF-S were recorded.Database was established with EpiData software, and statistical analysis was conducted by SPSS 17.0 software. Correlation analysis was conducted by pearson correlation analysis. Logistic regression was used for multivariate analysis. ResultsThe average scores of SCL-90, PSSS, GWB and ASLEC scales in 354 graduate students were as follows: 121.19 ± 21.75, 66.76 ± 8.50, 82.56 ± 10.93 and 25.61 ± 16.14. Multivariate logistic regression analysis have shown that visiting the dentist over 1 time/2 years were positively associated with caries susceptibility(P < 0.05); the average monthly household income ≤ 2000 yuan, oral health guidance, supragingival scaling 1-2 times/year, visiting dentist regularly and the total score of GWB scale were negatively associated with caries susceptibility(P < 0.05).The mean DMF-T value for 354 graduate students was16.08 ± 4.05, and the mean DMF-S value was 21.40 ± 6.55. Among the checked dental caries, the number of non-cavitated caries lesions was 3449(33.06%), and the number of cavitated caries was 1994(19.11%). Multiple linear regression showed the mean DMF-T value exhibit positively relevant with lacking of visiting dentist timely and the quantities of stress about life events(P < 0.05), and negatively relevant with whether received professional oral health guidance(P < 0.05). Multiple linear regression manifested the mean DMF-S value was positively correlated with brushing teeth horizontal(P < 0.05), and negatively correlated with the total score of PSSS scale(P < 0.05). Conclusions1. Higher levels of family support and social support was the protective factor the mean DMF-T/S value, and multiple negative life events were the risk factors. Higher levels of individual overall well-being could reduce caries susceptibility. Psychosocial factors were associated with dental caries of graduate students in China.2. The average monthly household income ≤ 2000 yuan, whether received professional oral health guidance, supragingival scaling and visiting dentist regularly could reduce caries susceptibility. Visiting the dentist over 1 time/2 years could increase susceptibility to dental caries.3. Receiving professional oral health guidance could reduce the mean DMF-T value. Lacking of visiting dentist timely could increase the mean DMF-T value,and brushing tooth incorrectly could increase the mean DMF- S value.4. Dental caries of Chinese graduate students have no obvious correlation with their dietary habit. |
