Purpose: This cross-sectional study aimed to evaluate the association of demographic and clinical characteristics, Sense of Coherence (SOC), clinical conditions (number of teeth, and use of and need for dental prostheses), and Oral Health-Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL); and if the SOC modifies the relationship of clinical conditions and OHRQoL in a sample of elders.
Methods: Trained dentists assessed the participants' oral health and conducted interviews (n = 110). Information on sociodemographic conditions (sex; age at time of data collection; educational level; household income), SOC, and OHRQoL were investigated. Clinical data included use of and need for dental prostheses; number of decayed, missing, and filled teeth; and number of teeth (categorized by median). OHRQoL was measured using the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14). Effect modification between SOC and each clinical oral condition on OHRQoL was tested in regression models.
Results: The findings of the present study showed that individuals with high SOC presented better OHRQoL, even after adjustment for sociodemographic and clinical conditions.
Conclusion: SOC modifies the effect in the association between OHIP-14 scores and clinical conditions, and could be a protective factor in adverse conditions.