Exploring the relationship between oral healthcare service choice, treatment needs and oral health-related quality of life.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Irregular use of oral healthcare is associated with oral disease burden, leading to poorer oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL). There is evidence suggesting an association between dental care visits or access and OHRQoL. However, no studies have assessed the relationship of use of oral healthcare services on OHRQoL in countries where universal health coverage, including oral health, has been prioritized. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate whether choosing either public or private oral healthcare service mediates the association between oral health treatment need and OHRQoL. Another aim was to compare the difference in treatment need between two cohorts born 20 years apart.

Methods

This study utilized the data of two birth cohorts from the two norther

SUBMITTER: Tirkkonen O 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12577129 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature